Alhassan Bangura, a promising young player for Watford football club, would see his career destroyed if he was deported to Sierra Leone, a tribunal heard today.

The midfield player, known as Al to team-mates and fans, is facing deportation after the Government failed to extend his right to stay in the UK. His club are leading the campaign for him to be granted asylum.

Aidy Boothroyd, the Watford manager, told an asylum and immigration tribunal that sending Bangura back to Africa would be like Frank Sinatra playing Batley Frontier Club in West Yorkshire instead of Wembley.

Boothroyd said during the hearing in Feltham, Middlesex: “If he were to go back there it would be an absolute disaster for him professionally.”

Bangura, 19, came to the UK seeking asylum almost four years ago and was granted limited discretionary leave to remain. The story of his arrival in this country is still shrouded in mystery.

He claims that has lost touch with his family and settled in England after escaping from human traffickers who brought him to Europe. He said that in Sierra Leone he faced witchcraft and threats to mutilate him.

Under cross-examination Bangura was asked why in media interviews he said he had come to Europe to stay with an uncle called Eric and would telephone his mother at least once a week.

Bangura told the court: “That was my first interview. It was a really sad moment and embarrassing moment for me, that’s all I can say.

“I was a bit shy. I am thinking it is not a thing for everyone to know about.”

Bangura, who lives in Watford with his pregnant girlfriend, told the hearing that he had undergone therapy for nightmares involving people running after him and trying to “do something bad to me”.

Michael Clements, senior immigration judge, has reserved judgment and said a decision would be sent out in the course of the next 28 days.

Yabom Foona, Bangura’s girlfriend, who also came to the UK from Sierra Leone, said she would not return there with the footballer if he had to go.

“I have got a son to consider - my baby,” she told the hearing. “Sierra Leone is not a place I would want to take my son.”

Ms Foona, 21, said she was in the process of applying for British citizenship.

Claire Ward, Labour MP for Watford, is backing his case. “It is nice now and again to have a young guy come in who has the right morals and the right attitude that you want other people to follow,” she said.

Iain Moody, football operations manager for Watford, said the player was “clearly popular” with fans dedicating songs and websites to him.

He said Bangura made a lot of local school appearances and was involved in coaching and mentorship programmes. Watford have offered the player a contract to 2009.

The tribunal heard that Sierra Leone’s absence from the Fifa top 70 world rankings would be an obstacle to Bangura gaining a work permit, another player of a similar background had previously made an application and been rejected.