FOOTBALL teams across the district are set to tackle community issues head on using the "universal language" of the beautiful game.

One Bradford will bring players from Manningham All Stars, Bradford All Stars and Bingley Juniors together for tournaments, expert coaching and workshops.

But it isn't about playing against one another, says Jerry Ashraf, who has brought his football vision to life with FA coach Sean Regan.

Jerry, who coaches Manningham All Stars, said: "The day isn't about scoring the most goals, it's about making the most friends.

"We are going for similarities, not differences.

"Football is a universal language. I'd say it was a sport but it's actually a language.

"We have to sit with everybody and start having a conversation.

"For some of the young people, it's inspiring. Even though they do play in the district of Bradford, they just play close teams and not getting out into other places in the area."

Youngsters will get one-on-one training with Ian Ormondroyd, retired Bradford City player, and ex-professional Des Hamilton.

One of the workshops of the day is set to celebrate multiculturalism using shirts from teams around the globe.

Coach Jerry said the major teams are made up of players from all backgrounds which speaks volumes about how inclusive the game can be.

But changes do need to be made, he says, after a Bradford City fan was allegedly racially abused as he made his way to Valley Parade.

Life-long supporter Glendon Robinson was called a monkey and subjected to monkey noises by some of the club's fans on Manningham Lane just over a week ago.

The hate crime victim, who described the incident as "sickening", has been invited to the day in the hopes of restoring his faith in humanity.

Jerry said: "Recently a fan was walking to Bradford City and abused by his own fans which is a disgrace.

"The impact (of cohesion work) hasn't really been felt.

"They're going to be mixed up. Each group will have a different 'manager'.

"There's lots more similarities than differences."

The football fanatics will travel to St George's Park National Football Centre in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, this Saturday.

They will join other players from across the country, bringing the number of young footballers up to 40.

PE teacher Sean Regan, who works as an FA coach part-time, said the whole day is about camaraderie.

Sean said: "It's every level of the game and sometimes people need to come forward and send that message out to say: 'We'll do whatever we can to change the way people are, we'll do what we can to solve the problem'.

"It's not a one off thing. We'll continue to send this message out.

"This is just the start of what we want to deliver."