Alhassan Bangura, the Watford midfielder, has pleaded with Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to overturn the decision to deport him back to Sierra Leone.

The 19-year-old, who recently became a father, had his application for leave of stay in the United Kingdom turned down by the Asylum and Immigration Authorities on Monday.

Bangura will now be forced to contemplate a mandatory return to his home country in the near future, unless Smith can be persuaded to change the decision.

“I am praying every night that the Home Secretary will review this and allow me to stay because inside of me, I know I’m supposed to be here,” Bangura said.

“I know that these people are doing their jobs, but they need to look at my situation individually.

“I’m doing everything right. I’m here, I have my family and my job - I’m not doing anyone any harm. I’m happy to be here, I see this as my home, my country.”

Bangura moved to England four years ago and has made over 50 appearances for Watford. He was part of the squad which helped Adrian Boothroyd’s side clinch promotion to the Barclays Premier League in 2006.

“I found out the result on Monday, I woke up and the letter was on my doormat,” Bangura said. “I didn’t understand it, I didn’t know what it was for and I couldn’t work out what it was saying.

“I rang my solicitor and he confirmed it for me. I was disappointed obviously; I don’t see any reason for them to send me back there.

“I came here when I was 15, with no friends or family. Everything I have now is what I’ve made for myself and I don’t just mean my home, but my relationships.”

Boothroyd, Watford’s Labour MP Claire Ward and FIFpro have all backed Bangura’s appeal and the teenager has expressed gratitude for their support.

“The players and the manager have been really supportive and it’s nice to know that they respect me in the same way that I respect them,” admitted Bangura.

“People from all over the country are supporting me, English people. People from the country I want to live in and that makes me happy to know that.

“I’m glad they want me to be one of them as well. I want to thank them for what they’ve done for me. I only hope I am able to see them soon and show my thanks to all of them.”