Former Arsenal academy star Billy Vigar has died aged 21 after struggling a ‘important mind damage’ throughout a match, plunging the soccer world into mourning.
Vigar was positioned in an induced coma after struggling the horrific damage in a match at Wingate and Finchley on Saturday within the Isthmian League Premier Division.
It’s thought that he collided with a concrete wall whereas making an attempt to maintain the ball in play and he was later positioned in a coma.
Chichester Metropolis, who’ve postponed their sport in opposition to Lewes on the weekend, wrote on X on Thursday night: ‘It’s with nice unhappiness that Chichester Metropolis Soccer Membership has to verify the passing of Billy Vigar.’ Individually, they mentioned: ‘Relaxation in peace Billy. Ceaselessly within the hearts of all at Chichester Metropolis Soccer Membership.’
Vigar was a product of Arsenal’s Hale Finish academy, having initially joined on schoolboy phrases aged 14. He signed scholarship phrases in 2020, knowledgeable contract in 2022, and was a part of their under-21s set-up till final yr. In 2024 he joined Hastings United and over the summer time he joined non-league Step 3 facet Chichester.
Arsenal wrote on their web site: ‘Everybody at Arsenal Soccer Membership is deeply sorry to listen to of the tragic passing of Chichester Metropolis ahead and former Arsenal academy participant, Billy Vigar.
Former Arsenal star Billy Vigar has died aged 21 after struggling a ‘important mind damage’ throughout a match
Reviews from final weekend declare Vigar collided with a wall whereas making an attempt to maintain the ball in play
‘In addition to his important expertise, Billy will at all times be remembered for his love of the sport, delight at representing our soccer membership – he as soon as referred to as the day he was noticed by our scouts as ’a very powerful of his life’ – and a personality beloved by teammates and coaches alike.
‘Billy went on to seem for us within the PL2 and EFL Trophy and proved to be an asset throughout the ahead positions and even deputised in defence – his versatility illustrating his dedication to the teaching employees and his crew.
‘Our deepest condolences exit to the Vigar household and his many mates at this extraordinarily tough time.
A press release from his household learn: ‘After sustaining a big mind damage final Saturday, Billy Vigar was put in an induced coma.
‘On Tuesday he wanted an operation to assist any probabilities of restoration. Though this helped, the damage proved an excessive amount of for him and he handed away on Thursday morning.
‘The responses to the unique replace present how a lot Billy was considered and beloved inside the sport.
‘His household are devastated that this has occurred while he was taking part in the game that he beloved.’
Reviews from final weekend declare that the ahead’s momentum noticed his head make contact with the wall as his physique turned after sliding to achieve the ball.
He was a part of Arsenal’s under-21s facet till final yr and loved spells at numerous golf equipment
Two days after the incident, Chichester launched an announcement on social media through which they up to date supporters on the participant’s worrying situation.
They wrote on the time: ‘It’s too early to say what the result can be and even when issues go nicely, there can be a protracted street to restoration forward. Love from the entire of the CCFC household Billy.’
Vigar graduated from Arsenal’s academy and went on to play for Derby County, Hastings United and Eastbourne Borough.
He had harboured hopes of reaching Arsenal’s first crew, pointing to different academy graduates equivalent to Bukayo Saka as inspiration.
Sadly medical doctors had been unable to save lots of Billy’s life. There have been calls on social media for non-league golf equipment to carry a minute’s silence this weekend in reminiscence of the teenager from Worthing.
Tributes have flooded in from throughout the soccer world, from Premier League sides to these taking part in in non-league and on the grassroots stage.
The Soccer Affiliation wrote: ‘We’re devastated to listen to that Billy Vigar has handed away. We ship our heartfelt condolences to his household, mates, family members, and everybody at Chichester Metropolis FC at this extremely tough time.’
His former membership Derby County wrote: ‘All at Derby County are deeply saddened by the passing of Billy Vigar. Billy spent the second half of the 2022/23 season with the Academy on mortgage from Arsenal, making a number of appearances for the Below-21s. The ideas of everybody on the membership are along with his household and mates at this extremely tough time.’
And Eastbourne Borough mentioned: ‘We’re devastated to study of the passing of former participant Billy Vigar.
Vigar (left) pictured taking part in for Eastbourne Borough in opposition to Torquay United in 2024
‘The 21-year-old performed for The Sports activities on mortgage from Arsenal throughout the 2023/24 season, the place he made 32 appearances for the membership.
‘Each footballing and non-footballing membership employees are shocked and deeply saddened of the information, and our ideas are with Billy’s household at this horrible time.’
A Hastings spokesperson mentioned: ‘All of us at Hastings United are devastated to study of the passing of Billy Vigar.
‘We are going to at all times bear in mind Billy’s time at Hastings United with fondness. Our ideas are with Billy’s household [and] mates presently.’
Even golf equipment for whom Billy had not performed chimed in with tributes and condolences.
Brighton mentioned: ‘The ideas of everybody at Brighton & Hove Albion are with Billy’s household and mates, and everybody at Chichester Metropolis, at this heartbreaking time. Relaxation in peace, Billy.
Fulham commented: ‘That is such devastating information. Sending love and energy to Billy’s family and friends, in addition to everybody at Chichester Metropolis. Relaxation in peace.’
Portsmouth wrote: ‘We’re so sorry to listen to this information. Our ideas are with Billy’s household, mates, and everybody at Chichester Metropolis at this heartbreaking time. Relaxation in peace, Billy.’
