Former Arsenal academy striker Billy Vigar has died at the age of 21 after suffering a collision with a concrete wall during a game.
The forward, who was playing for Chichester City in the Isthmian League Premier Division, was injured during Saturday’s clash with Wingate and Finchley. The match was abandoned after 13 minutes as medical teams, including an air ambulance, treated him.
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
Reports confirmed Vigar was left with a significant brain injury and placed in an induced coma. He later underwent surgery but tragically passed away on Thursday morning.
The Professional Footballers’ Association had previously called for a review of safety rules around advertising boards following a similar incident in 2022 involving Bath City striker Alex Fletcher, who was forced to retire at 25.
Chichester City released a statement on behalf of his family, saying: “After sustaining a significant brain injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar was put in an induced coma. On Tuesday, he needed an operation to aid any chances of recovery. Although this helped, the injury proved too much for him and he passed away on Thursday morning. The responses to the original update show how much Billy was thought of and loved within the sport. His family are devastated that this has happened whilst he was playing the sport he loved.”