Ex-Arsenal star Billy Vigar’s family get update on investigations into his tragic death
Former Arsenal striker Billy Vigar tragically died aged 21 in September after colliding with a concrete wall while playing for Chichester City at Wingate & Finchley FC.
The grieving family of former Arsenal striker Billy Vigar, who died in September after hitting a wall during a non-league match, have been told the investigation into his death will be lengthy.
Vigar died aged 21 after suffering a serious brain injury while playing for Chichester City at Wingate & Finchley FC. He hit a concrete wall while trying to keep the ball in play at Wingate & Finchley Stadium on September 20.
Following his death, the Football Association said it would review the boundary walls and boundaries of non-league football pitches. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police and Barnet Council are both carrying out their own investigations into what happened.
A pre-inquest hearing was held at Barnet Coroner’s Court on Tuesday morning, during which Senior Coroner Andrew Walker warned Vigar’s family that it “would not be a short process”. BBC News reports that Walker has asked the Met to ensure “the nature of the contact between the two actors involved” is included in their investigation.
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Obi Oranu, manager of commercial environmental health services at Barnet Council, said the stadium’s concrete wall had been removed. He is investigating possible health and safety breaches at Wingate & Finchley FC.
Met Superintendent Colin Chandler said their investigation would take four to six weeks and require the cooperation of the FA.
The Professional Footballers’ Association is also conducting its own investigation into the tragedy. The PFA’s Ben Wright said walls around pitches were “a player safety issue for all of our members”, which his union had been working to resolve “for several years”.
In a statement released in September, the FA confirmed it was looking into the matter. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Billy Vigar,” their statement read.
“Our thoughts and deepest 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 matches this weekend.
“While the health and safety of participants and spectators at the National League system level is the responsibility of clubs and their local authorities, we will now carry out an immediate review, in conjunction with the leagues, clubs and relevant stakeholders of the game, which will focus on the safety of boundary walls and boundaries around grounds within the National League system.
“This will involve looking at ways in which we can help clubs across the National League system identify and implement additional measures at their stadiums which they believe will help mitigate any potential security risks.”
The review comes after Bath City player Alex Fletcher collided with concrete advertising hoardings in November 2022 while in the National League South. Fletcher underwent emergency surgery and was left in a coma, but later returned to playing before retiring.