Billy Vigar Dies After Match Injury

Billy Vigar, 21, died on 25 September 2025 after sustaining a significant brain injury in an Isthmian League Premier Division match for Chichester City against Wingate & Finchley when he collided head‑first with a concrete advertising wall while sliding to keep the ball in play. He was treated on the pitch as ambulance and air‑ambulance crews responded, was rushed to hospital, placed in an induced coma and underwent emergency surgery on Tuesday. The family and club confirmed his death on Thursday morning and asked for privacy. Vigar came through Arsenal’s Hale End academy (joined 2017), signed a professional contract in 2022, featured for Arsenal’s U18s and U21s, had loan spells including Derby County U21s and Eastbourne Borough, and played for Hastings before joining Chichester. Chichester City, Arsenal and Derby issued statements expressing condolences, Chichester postponed upcoming fixtures, and the incident has renewed concerns about pitchside safety and hard surfaces around playing areas.