Tragic news has emerged that Billy Vigar, a British footballer, has passed away at the young age of 21. His death followed an injury sustained during a match.
Vigar was playing for Chichester City F.C. against Wingate & Finchley Football Club on Saturday, September 20, when the unfortunate incident occurred.
It has been widely believed, though not officially verified, that Vigar suffered a severe injury after colliding with a concrete wall while attempting to keep the ball in play.
Chichester City F.C. shared their sorrow on X, stating, “It is with great sadness that Chichester City Football Club has to confirm the passing of Billy Vigar. Below is a statement from his family.”
The club added, “We request that his family’s privacy is respected at this most difficult time.”
His family released a statement saying: “After sustaining a significant brain injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar was put into 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 loved and thought of within the sport. His family are devastated that this has happened while he was playing the sport that he loved.”
Vigar was a product of the Arsenal academy, having left the club in 2024.
In a statement, Arsenal mentioned: “Billy joined our academy on schoolboy terms aged 14, after being scouted at his hometown club Hove Rivervale FC and excelled as a striker at Hale End, scoring 17 goals in his debut season.
“In 2020, his performances earned him a scholarship and joined us full-time for the 2020-21 season, his intake including current players Charles Sagoe Jr, Remy Mitchell and others such as Omari Hutchinson, Charlie Patino and Brook Norton-Cuffy.
“Quick, powerful and fiercely determined, his first season as a scholar was blighted by a serious hamstring injury, but he made up for it in his second, scoring four goals in 18 under-18 appearances and signed professional terms for the club at the end of that 2021-22 season.
“Billy went on to appear for us in the PL2 and EFL Trophy and proved to be an asset across the forward positions and even deputised in defence – his versatility illustrating his commitment to the coaching staff and his team.
“As well as his significant talent, Billy will always be remembered for his love of the game, pride at representing our football club – he once called the day he was spotted by our scouts as ‘the most important of his life’ – and a character beloved by team-mates and coaches alike.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time.”
The FA also expressed their sympathy, stating: “We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, loved ones and everyone at Chichester City FC at this incredibly difficult time.”
In light of Vigar’s death, the Professional Footballers’ Association has called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Earlier, in June 2023, the government along with the PFA, addressed the FA, the Premier League, the English Football League, and the National League, following a similar incident involving Bath City player Alex Fletcher, who suffered a fractured skull after a clash with a concrete barrier.