A mixed race football team is backing Bradford's goal to become Capital of Culture.

Since Heaton United was formed three years ago it has won two Girlington and Manningham Cup championships in a row and has now reached the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup.

The team, made of up white, Asian and Afro-Caribbean players, has landed sponsorship deals from two Bradford companies - Swift UK Ltd and Langtry-Langton Architects - and the lads are currently Division Four champions. They were recently filmed on and off the pitch for a BBC documentary focusing on race issues in sport, to be broadcast later this year.

Team manager Arif Hussain Nazir said football had become more popular among Bradford's Asian communities in recent years. He sees sport, and football in particular, as a way of bringing together people from different cultures.

"People in the Asian community never really used to play football," he said. "But when Bradford City got into the Premiership in 1999 there was a real buzz in Bradford. Suddenly everyone was interested in football.

"I used to play a bit at school but it's only over the past few years that I've started taking it more seriously.

"Football is a worldwide game - wherever you are in the world you'll find someone interested in it.

"And here in Bradford it crosses all communities.

"There are many different races in our team and it's a good, successful team. There aren't many mixed race teams and we're proud of what we are.

"All that really matters to me is the colour of their shirt - not the colour of their skin."

Arif sees sport as an important part of Bradford's cultural life and said the Capital of Culture bid provided a golden opportunity for the district's sporting clubs.

"We're right behind Bradford's bid, everyone puts Bradford down but this gives us chance to show the good things that have been achieved here," he said.

"And it's a chance to make improvements for the future - I'd like to see more sports facilities for groups like us. There should be more encouragement for mixed race teams.

"Sport is cross-cultural. As has been proved with the success of Bradford City and Bradford Bulls, it is a good way of bringing people together."