Al Bangura
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Alhassan Bangura[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 24 January 1988||
Place of birth | Freetown, Sierra Leone | ||
Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
2004–2005 | Watford | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2005–2009 | Watford | 62 | (1) |
2008-2009 | → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 6 | (0) |
2009–2010 | Blackpool | 9 | (0) |
2010–2011 |
Mersin İdmanyurdu | 6 | (0) |
2011 |
Gabala | 5 | (0) |
2011–2014 | Forest Green Rovers | 83 | (0) |
2014–2015 | Coventry City | 0 | (0) |
2015–2016 | St Albans City | 5 | (0) |
2016–2017 |
Nuneaton Town | 3 | (0) |
Total | 179 | (1) | |
International career | |||
2008–2014 | Sierra Leone | 3 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
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
"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.[5]
Playing career
Club
Discovered by a Watford scout playing for Chertsey Town Youth in 2004, Bangura joined the Hornets youth set-up,
At the end of the 2005–06
He signed a new three-year contract with Watford in May 2007,
At the end of the season he returned to Watford, but left the club by mutual consent.[10] He was subsequently signed in August by Blackpool on a non-contract basis,[11] and later the same day was an unused substitute in a 0–0 home draw with Derby County.[12]
He made his debut in August, in the Seasiders' 4–1 victory over Premier League side Wigan Athletic in the second round of the 2009–10 Football League Cup.[13] His league debut came two days later when he was an 80th-minute substitute in a 3–0 home win over Coventry City. In September 2009 he signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year with the Seasiders.[14] After three substitute appearances his first league start came in a 3–0 win at home over Sheffield United in October. He was released at the end of the season.
In 2011, he signed for
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.[16][17][18] 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.[19]
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.[20] Bangura then suffered another knee injury which led to him having a second operation in just four months to correct it.[21]
On 6 December 2012, Bangura extended his contract with Forest Green for a further two years, keeping him at the club until June 2015.[22] However, in August 2014, he agreed to terminate his contract a year early and left the club.[23]
Following the appointment of former Forest Green Rovers manager
Bangura took time away from football after leaving Coventry City, however he returned to playing in January 2016.
International
Bangura was called up to the
He made his Leone Stars debut on 11 October in a
Personal life
In September 2009 he moved from Watford to live on the Fylde Coast.[5]
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.[33]
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.[34]
The appeal against the decision, was backed by
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.[4][37]
"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."
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.[38]
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
Career statistics
Club
Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Watford | 2004–05[40] | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |
2005–06[41] | Championship | 35 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 41 | 1 | |
2006–07[42] | Premier League | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 20 | 0 | ||
2007–08[43] | Championship | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
2008–09[44] | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | ||
Total | 62 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 78 | 1 | ||
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) | 2008–09[44] | League One | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Blackpool | 2009–10[45] | Championship | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
Mersin İdmanyurdu
|
2010–11[15] | TFF First League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | ||
Gabala
|
2010–11[15] | Azerbaijan Premier League | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
Forest Green Rovers | 2011–12[15] | Conference Premier | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
2012–13[15] | Conference Premier | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 2[b] | 0 | 37 | 0 | ||
2013–14[15] | Conference Premier | 38 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[b] | 0 | 41 | 0 | ||
2014–15[15] | Conference Premier | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 83 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | 91 | 0 | |||
Coventry City | 2014–15[41] | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
St Albans City | 2015–16[46] | National League South | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[c] | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
Nuneaton Town
|
2016–17[15] | National League North | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
Career total | 179 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 206 | 1 |
- ^ Appearance(s) in Championship play-offs
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
- ^ Appearance(s) in Herts Charity Cup
International
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Sierra Leone | |||
2008 | 1 | 0 | |
2014 | 2 | 0 | |
Total | 3 | 0 |
Honours
Club
- Watford
- Blackpool
Individual
References
- ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
- ^ a b Aboola, Tope (4 April 2006). "Bangoura looks to football future". BBC. Archived from the original on 24 December 2006. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
- ^ a b Al Bangura, Aidy Boothroyd (2008). Bangura Interview (Internet video). Vicarage Road: Teachers TV. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
- ^ a b c Canavan, Steve (7 September 2009). "Rescued from a nightmare". Blackpool Gazette.
- bbc.co.uk. 4 March 2006. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
- ^ Rodger, James (20 March 2015). "Everything you need to know about new Coventry City FC signing Al Bangura". coventrytelegraph. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ "King signs new Watford contract". BBC. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ "Seagulls complete double signing". BBC. 3 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 March 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
- ^ "Bangura eyes new challenge". Sky Sports. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ "Crainey Misses Out For Seasiders". Blackpool F.C. 18 August 2009. Archived from the original on 22 August 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
- ^ "Blackpool vs Derby County". Blackpool F.C. 18 August 2009. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
- ^ "Pool v Wigan: Seasiders win 4–1". Blackpool Gazette. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
- ^ "Bangura Pens Permanent Contract". Blackpool F.C. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "A.Bangura". uk.soccerway.com. Soccerway. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ "Bangura targets promotion". forestgreenroversfc.com. 2 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
- ^ "Sierra Leone international Al Bangura signs two-year deal with Forest Green". Gazette Series. 2 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
- ^ "Al Bangura relishing return under boss Dave Hockaday". BBC Sport. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
- ^ "Injury blow for Forest Green Rovers Al Bangura". BBC Sport. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
- ^ "Forest Green Rovers 2-3 Southport". BBC Sport. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ^ "Forest Green Rovers' Al Bangura undergoes knee surgery". BBC Sport. 19 January 2012.
- ^ "Forest Green Rovers hand new contracts to five players". BBC Sport. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
- ^ "Al Bangura leaves Forest Green Rovers by mutual consent". BBC Sport. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
- ^ "TRANSFER: Coventry City sign former Watford midfielder Al Bangura on a short-term deal until the end of the season". Coventry City FC. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
- ^ a b "NEW SIGNING: Boro snap up former Premier League midfielder". Nuneaton Town F.C. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
- ^ "Former Premier League footballer 'was trafficked for sex'". BBC. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ "Former Hornet Joins Saints". 25 January 2016.
- ^ "How Watford saved al Bangura: 'I wouldn't be alive if they sent me back'".
- bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
- ^ "Nigeria 4:1 Sierra Leone Match Report". FIFA. 11 October 2008. Archived from the original on 18 October 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
- ^ "The Latest From Bloomfield Road – Monday". Blackpool F.C. 2 November 2009. Archived from the original on 5 November 2009. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
- ^ "Bouazza Set For Play-Off". Blackpool F.C. 16 November 2009. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
- ^ Mole, Giles (16 November 2007). "Watford to fight Bangura deportation threat". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 30 November 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
- ^ "Bangura loses deportation hearing". BBC. 11 December 2007. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
- ^ "Bangura backed by players' union". BBC. 12 December 2007. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 13 December 2007.
- ^ Rowbottom, Mike (15 December 2007). "Elton John intervenes on Bangura's behalf". The Independent. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ "Watford fans hold Bangura protest". BBC. 15 December 2007. Archived from the original on 16 December 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2007.
- bbc.co.uk. 19 December 2007. Archivedfrom the original on 20 December 2007. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
- bbc.co.uk. 14 January 2008. Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2008.
- ^ "Alhassan Bangura | Football Stats | Season 2004/2005". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ a b Al Bangura at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
- ^ "Alhassan Bangura | Football Stats | Season 2006/2007". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ "Alhassan Bangura | Football Stats | Season 2007/2008". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Alhassan Bangura | Football Stats | Season 2008/2009". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ "Alhassan Bangura | Football Stats | Season 2009/2010". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ "Al Bangura Profile | Aylesbury United FC". www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ "Alhassan Bangura (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ "Watford | News | News | Latest Headlines | MARLON WINS PLAYER OF THE YEAR". 19 July 2011. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
External links
- Al Bangura at Soccerbase
- Al Bangura at National-Football-Teams.com
- Al Bangura player profile at blackpoolfc.co.uk
- Al Bangura at the Turkish Football Federation
- Alhassan Bangura at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games(archived)