Chichester City FC has been left devastated by the death of striker Billy Vigar, who passed away at the age of 21 following a severe brain injury sustained during an away match at Wingate and Finchley FC.
Idman.biz, citing BBC, reports that Vigar, a former Arsenal academy player, collided with a concrete wall last Saturday and spent several days in an induced coma before succumbing to his injuries on Thursday.
Fans and teammates described the loss as "completely sending the club in a spin," with floral tributes placed at the ground. A petition demanding the removal of brick walls around football pitches, launched in his memory, has already gathered over 2,300 signatures. Campaigners argue these barriers are unnecessary and pose significant dangers to players.
Brain injury charity Headway UK has urged football authorities to use the tragedy as a catalyst for change, stressing that lower league clubs need affordable solutions to improve safety. Tributes have poured in from across the football world, including Vigar’s former clubs Arsenal, Derby County, Eastbourne Borough, and Hastings United. Chichester City postponed their upcoming match, honoring Vigar with the message: “Rest in peace Billy. Forever in our hearts.”
