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Bhutia granted British work permit

Baichung Bhutia with Bury manager Neil Warnock

Indian football ace Baichung Bhutia has been granted a work permit by the British government to play for second division team Bury FC.

The Shakers were delighted this morning when news filtered through that the work permit for the diminutive Indian star had been granted following the club's appeal.

Earlier, the initial application for a work permit was rejected by the government, with the club then being given just a couple of days to launch a fresh appeal. However, the chairman and manager of the team put together an impressive appeal, with video evidence of the player's ability and various testimonials form local MP's, to force a change of mind.

"We have done everything the right way. We have tried to obtain British players and have had loads of trials at the club since the end of last season. We just simply have not seen anyone who can compare to the class of this player. The Professional Footballers' Association might think that we would be denying one of their members a job if Bhutia is employed at the club, but that simply isn't the case; we have tried to obtain British players," said Neil Warnock.

The official club statement this morning read, "Bury Football Club had confirmation this morning, Wednesday 15th September, that Her Majesty's Government has granted a work permit for Baichung Bhutia. The twenty-two-year-old, captain of the Indian national team, has played forty games for his country, scoring 25 goals."

Anyone who saw Baichung play in the pre-season friendly game at Hyde United back in July under the assumed name of Andrew Jones will testify that he looks to be a very exciting player indeed. Small in stature, but with lots of pace and a definite eye for goal.

Indeed, Baichung's impending arrival is great news to everyone at the club after Lutel James suffered a broken bone in his leg just above his ankle and faced a six-week lay-off, and two more players look to have picked up long term injuries in training. Should he figure on the line-up for Bury's next 'home' match against Wycombe Wanderers on September 18, he will become the first Indian to play in the English professional league.

This season Bury have played seven matches and have nine points from two victories, three draws and two defeats.