Al Bangura
{{short description|Sierra Leonean footballer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Al Bangura
| image = AlBangura@FGRFC (cropped).jpg
| caption = Bangura with Forest Green Rovers in 2012
| fullname = Alhassan Bangura{{cite book | last = Hugman | first = Barry J. | title = The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005 | publisher = Queen Anne Press | year = 2005 | page = 39 | isbn = 1-85291-665-6 }}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|1|24|df=y}}{{cite book
| editor-last = Hugman
| editor-first = Barry J.
| title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09
| publisher = Mainstream
| year = 2008
| isbn = 978-1-84596-324-8}}
| birth_place = Freetown, Sierra Leone
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=8}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2004–2005
| youthclubs1 = Watford
| years1 = 2005–2009
| clubs1 = Watford
| caps1 = 62
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2008-2009
| clubs2 = → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)
| caps2 = 6
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2009–2010
| clubs3 = Blackpool
| caps3 = 9
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2010–2011
| clubs4 = Mersin İdmanyurdu
| caps4 = 6
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2011
| clubs5 = Gabala
| caps5 = 5
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2011–2014
| clubs6 = Forest Green Rovers
| caps6 = 83
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2014–2015
| clubs7 = Coventry City
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2015–2016
| clubs8 = St Albans City
| caps8 = 5
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2016–2017
| clubs9 = Nuneaton Town
| caps9 = 3
| goals9 = 0
| totalcaps = 179
| totalgoals = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2008–2014
| nationalteam1 = Sierra Leone
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
}}
Alhassan "Al" Bangura (born 24 January 1988) is a Sierra Leonean former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Bangura played for the Sierra Leone national team and is notable for having been the victim of human trafficking when he was a teenager and also the subject of a deportation case in the United Kingdom in 2007.
Early life
Bangura was born and brought up in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and his father was the head of the Poro Secret Society, however he died when Alhassan was a young child. As he was the oldest in his family, custom dictated that he took over his father's place in Poro, when he grew up. He refused to do so, and instead fled to Guinea aged just 15 years-old, saying later, "I didn't like it at all so I fled to Guinea". However, in Guinea he met a Frenchman, who he did not realise was involved in human trafficking and who took Bangura to France intending to make him a male prostitute. When the man took Bangura to the UK, he intended again to use him as a prostitute, however Bangura sought asylum.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4880822.stm|title=Bangoura looks to football future|last=Aboola|first=Tope|date=4 April 2006|publisher=BBC|accessdate=11 December 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20061224024121/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4880822.stm| archivedate=24 December 2006| url-status= live}}{{cite video | people = Al Bangura, Aidy Boothroyd | title = Bangura Interview | url = http://www.teachers.tv/video/33399 | medium = Internet video | publisher = Teachers TV | location = Vicarage Road | year = 2008 | accessdate = 27 August 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091003081520/http://www.teachers.tv/video/33399 | archive-date = 3 October 2009 | url-status = dead }}
{{Blockquote|"I come from a strange background and from a country where there is not that much opportunity to get into the game of football professionally. It was hard when I was back home because no-one is there for you, no-one is encouraging you.... I also had problems away from football that made it hard."|Bangura on his early life in Sierra Leone.{{cite news|last=Canavan|first=Steve|title=Rescued from a nightmare|date=7 September 2009|work=Blackpool Gazette}}}}
Playing career
=Club=
Discovered by a Watford scout playing for Chertsey Town Youth in 2004, Bangura joined the Hornets youth set-up, and made his debut in a 1–0 win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium in April 2005, coming on for the injured Gavin Mahon after 30 minutes. Bangura started the following game against West Ham United, on the final day of the 2004–05 season. In the 2005–06 season he was a regular in the Watford side, making 40 appearances in all competitions. His first goal for the Hornets, was a 90th-minute equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Derby County at Vicarage Road in March 2006.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4750322.stm|title=Watford 2–2 Derby |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=4 March 2006 |accessdate=25 November 2009}} At the end of the season he won the club's Young Player of the year award.{{Cite web|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/everything-you-need-know-new-8885949|title=Everything you need to know about new Coventry City FC signing Al Bangura|last=Rodger|first=James|date=2015-03-20|website=coventrytelegraph|access-date=2019-01-29}}
At the end of the 2005–06 Championship season Watford were promoted to the Premier League and Bangura was rewarded with a contract extension taking him through to the end of the 2008–09 season. The 2006–07 season saw Bangura make his Premier League debut as a 75th-minute substitute in a 1–2 home defeat to Manchester United. He made a total of 20 appearances, 16 of which were in the Premier League as Watford finished bottom of the table in 20th place and were relegated back to the Championship.
He signed a new three-year contract with Watford in May 2007,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/6673057.stm|title=King signs new Watford contract |date=17 May 2007|publisher=BBC|accessdate=22 July 2009}} but only made 10 appearances in the 2007–08 season. In the following season he made five appearances, before going out on loan for the remainder of the season to League One side Brighton & Hove Albion in March 2009.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7921028.stm|title=Seagulls complete double signing|date=3 March 2009|publisher=BBC|accessdate=24 April 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090314023047/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7921028.stm| archivedate= 14 March 2009 | url-status= live}} He made his debut for the Seagulls four days after signing in a 2–1 defeat to Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road. He made a total of six appearances for Brighton.
At the end of the season he returned to Watford, but left the club by mutual consent.{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_5447636,00.html |title=Bangura eyes new challenge|date=22 July 2009|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=22 July 2009}} He was subsequently signed in August by Blackpool on a non-contract basis,{{cite news|title=Crainey Misses Out For Seasiders |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |date=18 August 2009 |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1759767,00.html |accessdate=18 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822024616/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~1759767%2C00.html |archivedate=22 August 2009 }} and later the same day was an unused substitute in a 0–0 home draw with Derby County.{{cite news|title=Blackpool vs Derby County |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |date=18 August 2009 |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10432~49198,00.html |accessdate=18 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229161932/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10432~49198%2C00.html |archivedate=29 February 2012 }}
He made his debut in August, in the Seasiders
In 2011, he signed for Tony Adams' Gabala in Azerbaijan.
On 1 July 2011, Bangura signed for Forest Green Rovers on a two-year contract, linking up with his former youth coach at Watford, Dave Hockaday, who was then manager at Forest Green.{{Cite web| url=http://www.forestgreenroversfc.com/news/showItem.asp?id=1417 |title=Bangura targets promotion |publisher=forestgreenroversfc.com |date=2 July 2011 |accessdate=2 July 2011}}{{Cite web| url=http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/sport/9118841.Football__Ex_Watford_ace_Bangura_signs_for_Forest_Green/ |title=Sierra Leone international Al Bangura signs two-year deal with Forest Green |publisher=Gazette Series |date=2 July 2011 |accessdate=2 July 2011}}{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14068074.stm |title=Al Bangura relishing return under boss Dave Hockaday |work=BBC Sport |date=8 July 2011 |accessdate=9 July 2011}} He picked up a knee injury later in the month whilst training and was required to undergo surgery which led to him missing the start of Rovers season.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14220341.stm |title=Injury blow for Forest Green Rovers Al Bangura |work=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2011 |accessdate=20 July 2011}}
Bangura made his return from injury by featuring in a reserve team game against Brighton & Hove Albion in September 2011 and made his first team debut in a 3–2 home loss against Southport on 17 September 2011.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14863929.stm |title=Forest Green Rovers 2-3 Southport |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=20 September 2011 |date=17 September 2011}} Bangura then suffered another knee injury which led to him having a second operation in just four months to correct it.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16639546.stm |title=Forest Green Rovers' Al Bangura undergoes knee surgery| work=BBC Sport |date=19 January 2012}}
On 6 December 2012, Bangura extended his contract with Forest Green for a further two years, keeping him at the club until June 2015.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20632576 |title=Forest Green Rovers hand new contracts to five players |work=BBC Sport |date=6 December 2012 |accessdate=6 December 2012}} However, in August 2014, he agreed to terminate his contract a year early and left the club.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28981764 |title=Al Bangura leaves Forest Green Rovers by mutual consent |work=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2014 |accessdate=29 August 2014}}
Following the appointment of former Forest Green Rovers manager Dave Hockaday as under-21 manager at Coventry City, Al Bangura joined the League One side on a trial basis in February 2015. Bangura impressed new Sky Blues boss Tony Mowbray to the extent that he was rewarded with a short-term deal to join the club until the end of the season.{{Cite web| url=http://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/article/transfer-al-bangura-coventry-city-league-one-2348101.aspx |title=TRANSFER: Coventry City sign former Watford midfielder Al Bangura on a short-term deal until the end of the season |publisher=Coventry City FC |date=20 March 2015 |accessdate=20 March 2015}}
Bangura took time away from football after leaving Coventry City, however he returned to playing in January 2016.{{cite news|title=NEW SIGNING: Boro snap up former Premier League midfielder|url=http://www.nuneatontownfc.com/news/new-signing-boro-snap-up-former-premier-league-mid-1745439.html|accessdate=23 January 2017|work=Nuneaton Town F.C.|date=23 January 2017}} During his time away, he worked with the Premier League to raise awareness of the growing number of teenage players being tricked into leaving Africa for Europe.{{cite web|title=Former Premier League footballer 'was trafficked for sex'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34849619|publisher=BBC|accessdate=20 November 2015|date=20 November 2015}} In January 2016, Bangura signed for National League South side St Albans City.{{Cite web|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/former-hornet-joins-saints-44802/|title = Former Hornet Joins Saints|date = 25 January 2016}} A year later, Bangura joined National League North club Nuneaton Town. Following his spell with the club, Bangura settled in the area but left football, instead going onto work at a care home.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1813746/2020/05/24/watford-saved-al-bangura-boothroyd-deportation/|title=How Watford saved al Bangura: 'I wouldn't be alive if they sent me back'}}
=International=
Bangura was called up to the Sierra Leone squad by national manager Ahmed Kanu in October 2008. However, it was also revealed that he would not be able to play home matches in Sierra Leone, as he has said he feared his life would be in danger in the country he was forced to flee.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7657429.stm | title=Bangura set for Sierra Leone debut |last= Fajah Barrie|first=Mohamed | date=7 October 2008 | publisher=bbc.co.uk | accessdate=19 August 2009}}
He made his Leone Stars debut on 11 October in a 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2010 African Cup of Nations qualifier 4–1 defeat to Nigeria at the Abuja Stadium, Abuja, Nigeria.{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/africa/matches/round=250418/match=300036611/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018144609/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/africa/matches/round=250418/match=300036611/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2008|title=Nigeria 4:1 Sierra Leone Match Report|date=11 October 2008|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=19 August 2009}} On 2 November 2009 he was called up for a friendly against Dutch Eredivisie side Willem II on 14 November,{{cite news|title=The Latest From Bloomfield Road – Monday |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |date=2 November 2009 |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1844206,00.html |accessdate=2 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105060123/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~1844206%2C00.html |archivedate=5 November 2009 |url-status=live }} in aid of the Ibrahim Kargbo Foundation. Bangura played in the game which ended 1–1.{{cite news|title=Bouazza Set For Play-Off |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |date=16 November 2009 |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1876617,00.html |accessdate=16 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329045249/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~1876617%2C00.html |archivedate=29 March 2012 }}
Personal life
In September 2009 he moved from Watford to live on the Fylde Coast.
=Asylum case=
In early 2007 Bangura was cleared to stay in the UK. However, the Home Office lodged an appeal on a legal technicality, claiming his status as an asylum seeker changed when he turned 18 years old. In November 2007, Bangura appeared before an Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, with Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd speaking on his behalf.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/11/16/ufnwatford116.xml |title=Watford to fight Bangura deportation threat |last=Mole |first=Giles |date=16 November 2007 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |accessdate=11 December 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130073004/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2007%2F11%2F16%2Fufnwatford116.xml |archivedate=30 November 2007 |url-status=dead }}
On 11 December 2007 he lost his case to stay in the UK, despite Bangura fearing a return to his homeland, where he could be under threat from the Soko tribe, formerly led by his late father. He launched an immediate appeal against the decision.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7111120.stm|title=Bangura loses deportation hearing|date=11 December 2007|publisher=BBC|accessdate=11 December 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071214213010/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7111120.stm| archivedate=14 December 2007| url-status= live}}
The appeal against the decision, was backed by FIFPro, the worldwide representative organisation for professional footballers, Watford MP Claire Ward, Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7140997.stm|title=Bangura backed by players' union|date=12 December 2007|publisher=BBC|accessdate=13 December 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071214094018/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7140997.stm| archivedate= 14 December 2007 | url-status= live}} former Home Secretary David Blunkett, and the club's honorary Life President Elton John.{{cite news|first=Mike |last=Rowbottom |date=15 December 2007 |url=http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premier-league/article3253132.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070629055833/http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premier-league/article3253132.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2007 |title=Elton John intervenes on Bangura's behalf |newspaper=The Independent |accessdate=4 January 2008 }}
On 15 December 2007, Watford fans staged a half-time protest during the club's game against Plymouth Argyle, holding up posters on which Bangura's face appeared under the words "He's family", with Argyle fans in the 18,000 crowd joining in the protest.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7146176.stm|title=Watford fans hold Bangura protest|date=15 December 2007|publisher=BBC|accessdate=15 December 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071216191248/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7146176.stm| archivedate= 16 December 2007 | url-status= live}}
{{Blockquote|"The support that I got from the Watford people is something I will never forget. They did so much for me, they are like family."|Bangura in September 2009 talking about Watford and the club's supporters.}}
Four days later the Home Office announced that Bangura would be allowed to remain in the UK while he applied for a work permit, a process that would take place in parallel with his appeal against deportation back to Sierra Leone.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7152228.stm | title=Bangura given hope by Home Office | date=19 December 2007 | publisher=bbc.co.uk | accessdate=19 December 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071220005501/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7152228.stm| archivedate= 20 December 2007 | url-status= live}}
Bangura won his appeal to stay in the UK after being awarded a work permit by a six-strong Government panel on 14 January 2008. At a Press Conference the following day Bangura said, "It's not the end of my career if I went back, It's the end of my life. It's going to make a big difference to my life. And, of course, I can concentrate more on my football now.".{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7179542.stm | title=Bangura wins appeal to stay in UK | date=14 January 2008 | publisher=bbc.co.uk | accessdate=14 January 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080112103945/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/7179542.stm| archivedate= 12 January 2008 | url-status= live}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{notelist}}
=International=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Alhassan Bangura (Player) |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/27845/Alhassan_Bangura.html |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=www.national-football-teams.com |language=en}} | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3" |Sierra Leone | |||
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2014
|2 |0 | |||
| colspan="2" |Total | 3 | 0 |
Honours
=Club=
;Watford
;Blackpool
Individual
- Watford Young Player of the Season: 2005–06{{Cite web |date=2011-07-19 |title=Watford {{!}} News {{!}} News {{!}} Latest Headlines {{!}} MARLON WINS PLAYER OF THE YEAR |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~824294,00.html |access-date=2022-03-20 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719150627/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~824294,00.html |url-status=dead }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{NFT}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100404182721/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10432~33406,00.html Al Bangura player profile] at blackpoolfc.co.uk
- {{TFF}}
- {{2006 Commonwealth Games profile|105369|Alhassan Bangura}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bangura, Al}}
Category:Footballers from Freetown
Category:Sierra Leonean men's footballers
Category:Sierra Leone men's international footballers
Category:Sierra Leonean expatriate men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Blackpool F.C. players
Category:Mersin Talim Yurdu footballers
Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players
Category:Coventry City F.C. players
Category:St Albans City F.C. players
Category:Nuneaton Town F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Azerbaijan
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England