Fans urge ban on concrete walls around pitches after Billy Vigar's death

Football fans in the United Kingdom are calling for brick walls around pitches to be removed after Billy Vigar, a 21-year-old forward who played for Chichester City and was a product of Arsenal's Hale End academy, died following a significant brain injury sustained during a match last Saturday. Vigar died on Thursday after being placed in a coma and undergoing emergency surgery, but doctors were unable to save him. The tragedy occurred at Wingate & Finchley’s stadium in Barnet, north London, where a ground-side brick or breeze-block wall is close to the touchline.

As the investigation into the circumstances continues, supporters have launched a Change.org petition titled "Vigar's Law" urging a ban on brick walls and other hard, immovable structures around football pitches. By Thursday night, the petition had drawn more than 1,000 signatures, reflecting a widespread concern among fans about safety at grassroots venues. Flowers and tributes have been laid outside Chichester City's stadium, and messages of sorrow have poured in from across the football world.

In the wake of Vigar's death, tributes have flowed from his former clubs and peers. Arsenal, where he developed as a youth, issued condolences noting his time with the club's academy and underscoring his versatility and love for the game. Chichester City postponed their weekend match against Lewes as they mourn the loss of a player who had recently joined the club from Hastings United. Vigar's family said they were devastated that he passed away while playing the sport he loved.

The debate over perimeter walls at grounds has long divided clubs, particularly at non-league level where resources for crowd control are limited. Some teams argue that walls help with crowd management and sightlines, while supporters contend that the barriers pose unnecessary risks to players and spectators alike. The push for change comes at a time when questions about safety at grassroots venues have again been raised by incidents involving hard structures around pitches.

Context from past incidents underscores the broader safety discussion. In 2022, Bath City forward Alex Fletcher sustained multiple skull fractures after colliding with a concrete advertising hoarding during a match; he survived after emergency surgery but his case has been cited by proponents of greater perimeter protection. Critics of the walls emphasize the limited sporting purpose of such barriers and argue that they should be replaced with padding or removed where possible to reduce injury risk. Non-league clubs note that removing walls would entail costs and logistical challenges, including staffing for larger grounds.

Vigar, a product of Arsenal's Hale End academy, left the club last year after progressing through their under-21 ranks and later played for Hastings United before joining Chichester City in the 2024 off-season. He featured for Chichester this season after spending time with several clubs in the non-league system. Arsenal confirmed the club's condolences and highlighted Vigar's diversity as a player and his commitment to the game. Chichester City also issued statements expressing sadness and thanked supporters for their continued support as the club navigates this difficult period.

The football community awaits further guidance from governing bodies as the conversation about pitch safety continues. The Football Association, in its statement of condolence, reiterated its sympathies to Vigar's family and the clubs involved, while acknowledging the need for reflection on safety measures at grounds across the country.