By Mike Collett
Watford’s Sierra Leone midfielder Al Bangura has won the right to remain in Britain after he was awarded a work permit on Monday.
The move follows a campaign to allow the 19-year-old to remain in the country after he was told he was being deported last month.
Watford announced the news on their Web site (www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk) saying a government panel decided Bangura’s "footballing credentials warranted his extended stay in this country".
Local Member of Parliament Claire Ward and Watford chairman Graham Simpson met Home Office minister Liam Byrne on Dec 19 and following that meeting, Watford were given the option of applying for the work permit.
Simpson told the Web site: "As a club we are very happy with the news, but most of all we are delighted for Al and his family."
Bangura fled Sierra Leone as a 15-year-old in fear of his life and after being discovered playing locally in Watford, he joined the club as a 17-year-old trainee in 2005 and has since made more than 60 appearances for the club.
After the Home Office served the deportation order several thousand fans of the Championship (second division) side signed a petition in protest, demanding that the government allow him to stay.
Thousands of Watford fans also held up placards with Bangura’s image on it at last month’s league match against Plymouth Argyle.
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