With just under five weeks to go until the new season kicks off, one of the few players in history to achieve the mini-double has made his way to Turf Moor.

Potent all-rounder Qasim Ali has joined the Belvedere Road set-up, and will take over from departed professional Jon Harvey as skipper.

And the 25-year-old can't wait to get his teeth stuck into his new role: "The move has come at the right time for me.

"And as far as my own game is concerned, Burnley is a great club, and maybe the ideal club, to be at.

"I've got a lot to learn about captaincy, and it was never going to be an easy ride.

"It is a bit of a regret to be leaving Colne, but as much as I'd love to stay there, I've wanted to take up a bigger and better role.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it, there is going to be plenty of ups and downs, but at the same time it is something I will relish getting my teeth into."

Ali began his Lancashire League career with an ill-fated season at Lowerhouse in 2003, before switching to the Horsfield.

But after three years at Colne, wrapped around a season in the Northern League with Carnforth, he felt it was time for a change: "I came back to Colne last season after a year at Carnforth, but it was a bit of a mixed year for personal reasons.

"I wasn't really performing on the pitch, one thing led to another and I just felt I needed a change.

"There was an opportunity to come to Burnley, and the way it presented itself was exactly what I was looking for.

"There was a chance to play an active role with the juniors, and that is something that I've wanted to do more and more of.

"To be fair, there were a number of clubs that were interested in signing me, but I felt Burnley was the best club for me.

"There's a good setup there, they have an excellent batting wicket and a lot of juniors who are up and coming."

For the full interview with Qasim Ali on becoming skipper at Turf Moor, see Tuesday's Burnley Express and Padiham Express.