Watford Football Club

• Nickname:The Hornets
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Gianfranco Zola

• Ground:Vicarage Road
• Capacity:20800

Bangura wins permit appeal

14 Jan 2008 - 17:52:24

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Watford have confirmed that Al Bangura has been handed a work permit and will be allowed to remain in the country.

There had been fears in December that the 19-year-old would have to return to Sierra Leone after the Asylum and Immigration Authorities rejected the teenager's application to remain in the United Kingdom.

However, a Government work permit hearing in Sheffield found in Bangura's favour on Monday.

Hornets chairman Graham Simpson is delighted with the result of the hearing, telling the club's official website: "As a club we're very happy with the news.

"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'd 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."

Bangura has made 70 appearances for the Championship side although he has not featured in the first team for the last five months.