English football is going through hours of mourning. Billy Vigara 21-year-old striker with a past in Arsenal’s youth divisions, died this Thursday after several days hospitalized in an induced coma due to a serious brain injury suffered during a match. The news was confirmed by Chichester City, the club to which the player belonged.
The accident occurred on Saturday, September 20, during the duel between Chichester City and Wingate & Finchley, for the Isthmian Premier Division, a regional league in the United Kingdom. In the first minutes of the match, Vigar tried to prevent the ball from leaving the field, lost control and ended up hitting his head against a concrete wall located on the side of the field. The violence of the clash forced the match to be stopped immediately. The footballer received medical assistance at the scene and was taken by helicopter to a London hospital, where doctors decided to induce him into a coma.
On Tuesday he had undergone surgery in the hope of improving his condition, but the injury proved irreversible. Finally, this morning the fatal outcome occurred.
“With great sadness, Chichester City Football Club confirms the death of Billy. We ask that the privacy of his family be respected at this very difficult time,” the institution reported in a statement. In parallel, the player’s family expressed: “Although the operation gave him some chance, the injury was too serious. His family is devastated by what happened while he was playing the sport he loved so much.”
From the Arsenal youth team to regional football
Born in England, Vigar began his career at Arsenal at the age of 14. With the Gunners youth team he achieved notoriety in the Under 18 Premier League, where in the 2021-22 season he scored four goals and gave two assists. He later joined the Under 21 team and was loaned to Derby County U21 and Eastbourne. In 2024, failing to establish himself in the first team of Mikel Artetaemigrated to Hastings United and then signed for Chichester City.
Although he never made his debut in the Premier League, he was considered a promising forward and very loved in the environment. The English Federation (FA) also expressed its condolences: “We are devastated to learn that Billy Vigar has passed away. We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends, loved ones and everyone at Chichester City FC at this incredibly difficult time.”
The case generated an impact in the United Kingdom and opened a debate about security measures in minor category stadiums, where there are often structures dangerously close to the playing field.
Meanwhile, his club farewelled him with a message on social media: “Rest in peace, Billy. Always in the hearts of all Chichester City Football Club.”