Help save the career (and the life) of Watford's Al Bangura
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Watford midfielder Al Bangura faces deportation back to his native Sierra Leone after losing his case to stay in the UK at an Asylum and Immigration Tribunal hearing earlier this week.
Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd said: 'We have one young man here [he's 19] who pays his taxes, has a fiancée and a newborn son and somebody, somewhere, thinks it's a good decision to send him back to Sierra Leone. We've been sent a document with the reasons why he's being deported and they are ridiculous.'
Bangura's story is one dominated by tragedy and hardship. He left Africa four years ago due to the civil war in Sierra Leone, in which his father was stabbed to death. He was then groomed as a male prostitute when he first came to the UK, via Guinea and France, but managed to escape and claim asylum. If Bangura is deported he will lose everything he has – not to mention the fact that his life will be in danger, possibly from the men who killed his father.
Watford's players plan to wear special T-shirts highlighting Bangura's situation at this Saturday's home match against Plymouth Argyle.
Bangura was first spotted by Watford scouts when he played for a youth side in Chertsey and he signed for the club's academy, making his first-team debut in April 2005. Since then has racked up more than 50 appearances, been voted the club's Young Player of the Year, and earlier this season he wore the captain's armband.
In other words, he is a very talented young man making a new life for himself and his young family in Britain. It would be plain wrong to kick him out.
Here's the petition!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-al-bangura -
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I signed it already, hope it helps.
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The club should apply for a work permit.. its strange why his case is under the asylum board.
Get him a work permit, since he's the Club captain, then if he's stayed long enough, he can apply for citizenship.
Hope it all works out.. -
I've signed too. Hope Al Bangura gets his stay in England..
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He doesn't deserve to go, unlike other immigrants in England who kill people, commit crime, live off dole, and try to impose their ideals on the locals.
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i don't know this guy at all cos i don't watch english football
i didn't know the situation before i clicked on this thread
but i signed the petition because i feel he doesn't deserve to end up that way. -
petition signed! had 4k++ post , hope the authorities are looking at it..
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Local MP supports Bangura
Watford MP Claire Ward was at Vicarage Road on Saturday to support the appeal of Watford's Al Bangura.
The 19-year-old became a father just two weeks ago but has been ordered back to the troubled African country, and the football club and Ward have joined forces in an attempt to have the decision reversed.
At half-time during the 1-0 defeat to Plymouth, Bangura and Ward were on the pitch and the former was moved to tears as the home fans chanted his name and held up posters showing his face, which had been placed on every seat.
Ward rallied the crowd and told them how they can support their player by signing a petition via the club's website.
After the game, Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd paid tribute to the number of people backing Bangura.
"Al is humbled by the support from our own fans and the Plymouth fans.
"The appeal has gone in and we are waiting to hear now. We are just trying to raise as much awareness as possible for it and hopefully we will get some sensible decision." -
Watford fans hold Bangura protest -
Signed.
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New hope for Bangura as Watford allowed to apply for work permit
Watford midfielder Al Bangura's hopes of staying in the United Kingdom have been boosted after the Home Office agreed to allow the Coca-Cola Championship club to apply for a work permit for him.
The 19-year-old was refused leave to stay in the UK last week and was set to be deported to his native Sierra Leone. But after a meeting with Home Office minister Liam Byrne the club have been handed the option of applying for a work permit.
Labour MP Claire Ward - who brokered the meeting and has been a staunch supporter of Bangura's case - said: "We've been offered another avenue which we hope will allow Al to remain in the country.
"Liam Byrne has given a concession which will allow Watford Football Club to apply for a work permit for Al and for Al to remain in the country while that happens. This is exceptional news."
Bangura's chances of attaining a work permit would normally be slim as he is uncapped and Sierra Leone are outside the top 70 nations in FIFA's rankings.
But Ward hopes that the inclusion of members of the football world on a panel will help his case. -
Signed! Hopefully the work permit will be handed down!
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Al Bangura is allowed to stay in the UK
Watford player Al Bangura has been granted a work permit which means he no longer faces deportation from the UK. The Sierra Leone-born midfielder was told in December he would have to leave the country. But the 19-year-old has now be told he can continue to play for the Hornets.
Watford chairman Graham Simpson said: "I would like to personally thank all the Watford fans who's backing of Al has been so crucial to moving this forward and securing his immediate future in the United Kingdom." -
yay!!