Bangura wins Fight of his Life

AL Bangura has won his fight to remain in the United Kingdom, after a Government work permit hearing found in his favour earlier on Monday. Awarding him a work permit, pending the completion of standard paperwork, the six-strong committee decided Al’s footballing credentials warranted extended stay in this country. Manager Adrian Boothroyd, Head of Football Operations Iain Moody and Community Director Julian Winter, all accompanied the legal team to this afternoon’s hearing in Sheffield. Former Academy Director and First Team Coach David Hockaday also spoke at the hearing in support of Al’s claim. After two hours of deliberations, the good news was issued to an emotional and grateful Bangura. Reacting to the verdict, Watford Chairman Graham Simpson said: "As a club we are very happy with the news, but most of all we are delighted for Al and his family. "We always knew we had a strong case and despite our setbacks we knew we had to fight for what we believed to be right for this young man. Al will now continue to contribute to our society, which I know he feels a debt of gratitude towards. "I would like to personally thank all the Watford fans whose backing of Al has been so crucial to moving this forward and securing his immediate future in the United Kingdom." Speaking of the result, Watford MP Claire Ward said: "This is the right decision and proves what we have said all along that Al has an exceptional case and deserved to remain in the UK to pursue his football career. I am delighted that common sense has been reached and thank all those supporters in Watford and beyond who helped keep up the pressure on the authorities." The young player’s plight came to prominence late last year, when the Asylum and Immigration authorities rejected his case for extended leave of stay on these shores, following his arrival as an unaccompanied minor four years ago. Then, at the age of 15, Bangura had been forced to endure a series of terrifying ordeals, before finally being sheltered by The Home Office. Bangura has worked hard to build a life, family and career in that time and the 19-year old is now the proud father of one month old son Samal. Thanks to the hard work of Claire Ward MP, who arranged a private meeting with the Minister responsible for Borders and Immigration Liam Byrne, Bangura was able to secure today’s exceptional work permit hearing in the Steel City. Ordinarily, Bangura would not qualify for such a hearing as his home nation, Sierra Leone, do not sit within the top 70 FIFA ranked world nations. Because of the personal circumstances which brought him to this country, Bangura is also unable to represent the African nation, which is ordinarily another route for work permit application. The legal team, representing Bangura and Watford, will now continue with the case to regularise Al’s status in this country, so that the youngster is able to remain in the United Kingdom beyond the period that his work permit will be valid for.