Al Bangura has thanked everyone who helped him remain in England after being handed a work-permit to continue playing for Watford.
Watford midfielder delighted
Al Bangura has thanked everyone who helped him remain in England after being handed a work-permit to continue playing for Watford.
The Sierra Leone-born midfielder was in danger of being deported by immigration officials - but the Home Office have now granted him permission to remain.
"As far as I am concerned I am always trying to feel confident and I let people fight for me. I was always confident things are going to be alright for me," he told
Sky Sports News.
"The fact that the MP got involved gave me confidence, with the fans behind me also and I just want to thank everyone very much.
"It is not even about my career, it would have been my life - so I just think if I went back my life would be finished.
"This is going to make a big difference in my life and will let me concentrate on what I am doing. I just have to make sure I stay strong."
Pleased
Hornets chairman Graham Simpson added this thanks to the massive support their campaign received
"I would like to thank everybody, Claire Ward our MP, the Watford fans and very much the media and the press who have got hold of this story and helped us," Simpson told
Sky Sports News.
"We were very, very relieved but most important we were relieved for Al himself.
"It is a football story, but more importantly is a humanitarian story - he came from a difficult situation. He has showed tremendous courage and great mental strength and the whole thing was just a wonderful story.
"He was part of our family and the effort made has been terrific."
