Career
Purdie started his career at Arsenal, playing in the youth team alongside Tony Adams, Paul Merson and David Rocastle. He moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1985, and went on to make more than 100 appearances for the club, with one manager at Wolves, Sammy Chapman, placing a £1 million price tag on him. Wolves released him shortly after the 1988 Sherpa Van Trophy final at Wembley Stadium, for which he was cup-tied.
Purdie played at Telford United and Worcester City, before turning his hand to management, first managing the youth team before partnering Steve Palmer in 2012 to manage the first team at AFC Wulfrunians.
In April 2013, Purdie made a substitute appearance for Wulfs away at Darlaston Town in the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division, on the way to managing Wulfrunians to the title.