The demise of Heaton United - who looked destined to become the first Asian side to complete the journey through the Alliance divisions to the Premier - has switched the spotlight over to Queensbridge United.

Playing up front regularly for the first time, 30-year-old Majid Ali - who has been around the local scene since he was 16 - was Heaton's leading scorer last season.

Now he is in the same position with Queensbridge, who are up with the leading pack in the First Division promotion race.

Practically all Majid's career has been as a left-sided midfielder. So how did the move up to striker last season come about?

"I'd always had a hankering to play up front but most of the clubs I've been at have been well off for strikers," said Ali.

"With a young family on the scene, I limited myself just to five-a-side for a couple of seasons. It was one of Heaton's sponsors who persuaded me to join the club. They were trying to build a side to take them to the Premier - and I got my wish to play in the forwards."

It was his school PE teacher, Gary Callagher, who introduced him to Sunday football with Wrose Albion at Wharfedale League level and he also turned out with Dynamos in the County Amateur League.

He moved to Albion Sports the season after and although he's always kept in touch with the club and played regularly in the summer tournaments - including the recent final at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium when Albion took the national title again - he was unable to hold a regular place in the Premier side.

He left after a couple of seasons for further opportunities. Majid spent a season in Eccleshill United's reserve side under Chris Wilkinson, who introduced him to Bolton Woods, where he played under Peter Smith and his replacement Lal Corbally. He was one of the Bradford players who Wilkinson took to Gargrave and more recently at Saturday level Majid has been turning out with Blackstones in the T&A League.

After Heaton folded, he contemplated rejoining Bolton Woods, but playing regular five-a-side with some of the Queensbridge lads he couldn't resist trying to complete the job that he hoped Heaton would fulfil.

Having spent last season in the First Division, can his new club reach the Premier?

"I knew it was a competitive division and there wasn't a lot between most of the sides in it and that's what we've found this season," said Ali.

"No side has given us a real hiding. I think if we can stay with the pack for the next two months we'll be in a good position for an end-of-season push. "Chellow's defeats in the last two Sundays has opened the door a little more for the other promotion contenders and I do feel we were unlucky not to get something out of the game when Chellow beat us 2-1. We certainly had our chances.

"I'd earmarked West Bowling as one of the title favourites after playing against them last season. We've got to play them twice and I do feel our season will depend on what we can get out of them over those games."