Football fans have launched a petition to ban brick walls being placed next to pitches after a non-league player tragically died after colliding into a concrete hoarding.
Former Arsenal academy star Billy Vigar, 21, died on Thursday after suffering a ‘significant brain injury’ playing for Chichester City last Saturday. He was placed in a coma and operated on but doctors could not save him.
Chichester had been playing away at Wingate and Finchley in the London borough of Barnet, whose stadium has a brick wall running alongside the pitch. It is believed Vigar collided with the wall after trying to keep the ball in play.
Only last month, part of the breeze block wall collapsed to the side of one of the goals, causing the club’s chairman Aron Sharpe to hit out at Dulwich Hamlet fans.
And supporters feel that Vigar’s death was avoidable. A petition for ‘Vigar’s Law,’ banning brick walls around pitches, garnered more than 1,000 signatures on Thursday night within hours of Chichester City announcing the forward’s death.
‘We, football lovers, urgently call for the removal of brick walls and other hard, immovable structures surrounding football pitches,’ the petition on Change.org reads.
Fans want brick walls around pitches to be banned after Chichester City star Billy Vigar reportedly hit his head on one
Wingate and Finchley’s ground has a breeze block wall near the pitch, and Vigar suffered ‘significant brain damage’ leading to his death
People have been placing flowers outside Chichester City’s stadium in memory of Vigar
‘Billy’s passing is not an isolated incident—countless players at all levels have suffered serious injuries, including broken bones, concussions, and life-altering trauma, as a result of these dangerous barriers.
‘Many pitches, especially at grassroots and community level, remain bordered by solid brick walls placed only a few feet from the touchline. These walls serve no essential sporting purpose, yet they create an undeniable and avoidable hazard.
‘Clubs, local councils, and sports authorities have a legal and moral obligation to provide a safe environment. Allowing hazardous structures to remain once the danger is known is a breach of that duty.
‘Billy Vigar’s death must be the last. We owe it to his memory—and to every player who steps onto a football pitch—to ensure that no one else suffers such a needless tragedy.’
Flowers have been laid outside Chichester City’s ground and tributes flooded in from across the football world, led by his former clubs Arsenal, Chichester, Derby County, Eastbourne Borough, and Hastings United.
Non-league clubs may argue that walls help with crowd control, particularly when they have limited personnel to steward games, and that the cost of removing walls could be significant.
In 2022, a Bath City player, Alex Fletcher, suffered multiple skull fractures after a horrifying collision with a concrete advertising hoarding. He was put into a coma and needed emergency brain surgery but survived.
On social media, supporters mourned the avoidable circumstances of Vigar’s death.
Vigar, 21, was a product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy and left the club last year
Vigar’s family are ‘devastated that this has happened while he was playing the sport he loved’
‘Truly horrific news. Hopefully Billy Vigar’s legacy is a permanent shift to safety measures at grounds around the country,’ one said.
Another wrote: ‘It’s absolutely awful for a 21 year old to go and play the game he loves on a Saturday and lose his life. These grounds should have walls taken down or padding put on them. Its a tragic accident that was avoidable. RIP young man.’
One lamented: ‘That Billy Vigar death is so sad because it 100% could have been avoided, the FA need to change the regulations around walls at football grounds.’
Another said: ‘Something needs to be done about brick walls being used as perimeter fences. They’re unsafe for supporters and even more unsafe for the players on the pitch.’
Daily Mail Sport has contacted Wingate & Finchley FC. The FA have also been approached for comment but referred to their statement of condolence and did not elaborate.
‘We are devastated to hear that Billy Vigar has passed away,’ an FA spokesperson said. ‘We send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, and everyone at Chichester City FC at this incredibly difficult time.’
Vigar was a product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, having initially joined on schoolboy terms aged 14. He signed scholarship terms in 2020, a professional contract in 2022, and was part of their under-21s set-up until last year. In 2024 he joined Hastings United and over the summer he joined non-league Step 3 side Chichester.
He was part of Arsenal’s under-21s side until last year and enjoyed spells at various clubs
Vigar (left) pictured playing for Eastbourne Borough against Torquay United in 2024
Chichester City, who have postponed their game against Lewes at the weekend, wrote on X on Thursday evening: ‘It is with great sadness that Chichester City Football Club has to confirm the passing of Billy Vigar.’ Separately, they said: ‘Rest in peace Billy. Forever in the hearts of all at Chichester City Football Club.’
Arsenal wrote on their website: ‘Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is deeply sorry to hear of the tragic passing of Chichester City forward and former Arsenal academy player, Billy Vigar.
‘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 teammates and coaches alike.
‘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.
‘Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time.
A statement from his family read: ‘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 that he loved.’
