The FA have confirmed that it will finally examine the perimeter walls and boundaries at non-league football grounds following the tragic death of former Arsenal forward Billy Vigar
The Football Association (FA) has confirmed it will examine the perimeter walls and boundaries at non-league football grounds following the tragic death of Billy Vigar.
The 21-year-old sadly died on Thursday after sustaining an injury whilst playing for Chichester City against Wingate and Finchley. The FA’s announcement follows the launch of a petition in the aftermath of Vigar’s death.
Saturday’s match against Wingate and Finchley was called off after just 10 minutes when Vigar collided with a concrete wall. Chichester subsequently issued statements revealing that the 21-year-old had sustained a severe brain injury requiring emergency surgery, but on Thursday, he lost his battle for life.
In an official statement, the Football Association announced that an investigation would be conducted into stadiums within the National League System, saying: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Billy Vigar.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, loved ones, and everyone at Chichester City FC, and tributes will be paid to Billy at National League System and Emirates FA Cup games this weekend.
“Whilst the health and safety of participants and spectators at the National League System level is the responsibility of the clubs and their local authorities, we will now conduct an immediate review, working with Leagues, Clubs and relevant stakeholders across the game, that will focus on the safety of perimeter walls and boundaries around pitches in the National League System.
“This will include looking at ways we can assist National League System clubs to identify and implement additional measures at their stadiums that they determine will help to mitigate any potential safety risks.”
It is understood that he struck the wall whilst trying to prevent the ball from going out of play.
The FA has confirmed that tributes will be paid to the striker across National League system and FA Cup fixtures, with the third qualifying round scheduled for this weekend.
The FA’s review follows the high-profile incident involving Alex Fletcher, who crashed into concrete advertising boards in November 2022, whilst representing Bath City in the National League South.
He required emergency surgery and was placed in a coma. Fletcher managed to make his comeback in August 2023 but hung up his boots in 2024.
Following news of his passing, tributes flooded in from throughout the non-league community and professional football clubs.
Arsenal, where Vigar developed through the youth ranks after joining aged 14, released a tribute statement. Before this weekend’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United, manager Mikel Arteta voiced his pain at the sudden death of the former youngster.
“Well, it’s shocking news, when I got it yesterday, obviously,” he said. “So straight away thinking about the family and how difficult it is to go through something like this in a very unexpected way as well.
“And hopefully they will dig in and understand what happened, why it happened and try to avoid these kind of things. But really sad news, and our full support with the family and our thoughts with all the loved ones.”
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