Arsenal pays emotional tribute to former academy player, Billy Vigar, dead at 21

A young and much-loved footballer has died after suffering a significant brain injury in a freak collision during a game.

Billy Vigar was a promising English footballer who spent time at premier league powerhouse club Arsenal’s academy and signed with them in 2022.

On the weekend he was playing for Chichester City (in England’s seventh tier competition) when he collided with a brick wall that runs along the edge of the pitch at Wingate and Finchley.

He was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma. In a bid to revive him he had surgery on Tuesday ... but died on Thursday.

The football community has been devastated by the tragic turn of events.

The family said in a statement: “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 (25th) 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.”

Vigar was trying to keep the ball in play when he collided with the wall. Following the incident some fans have suggested that it was only a matter of time before a serious tragedy occurred at the ground.

There have also been calls for protective padding to be placed on the wall.

Chichester have postponed their upcoming match on Saturday against Lewes.

“It is with great sadness that Chichester City Football Club has to confirm the passing of Billy Vigar,” the club said.

“We request that his family’s privacy is respected at this most difficult time. Rest in peace Billy. Forever in the hearts of all at Chichester City Football Club.”

Arsenal said everyone at the club was “devastated by the shocking news”.

“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,” the club said.

“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.

“He enjoyed loan spells at Derby County and Eastbourne Borough and at the end of the 2023/24 season, headed back to his native south coast, signing for Hastings United – prior to a move to Chichester just last month.

“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.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time.”