Pitch-side walls under scrutiny after Billy Vigar’s death, as safety concerns rise across English football

Billy Vigar, a 21-year-old forward who came through Arsenal’s Hale End academy, died on Thursday after suffering a significant brain injury when he collided with a concrete pitch-side wall during a match last weekend against Wingate & Finchley. He had been in an induced coma following surgery, but the injury proved too much for him, his family said. Tributes to the Chichester City forward have poured in from across non-league and professional clubs, as the sport begins to confront safety around the edges of the pitch.

Vigar’s football journey saw him leave Arsenal’s academy last year and move through the non-league system, most recently signing for Chichester City after a spell with Hastings United. Wingate & Finchley’s ground features a breeze-block wall located very close to the touchline, a proximity supporters and players say heightens risk when collisions occur. The incident has sharpened a long-running debate about how much physical structures surrounding pitches should be altered or removed to protect players at all levels of the game.

Football has mobilised to push for safety reforms in the wake of Vigar’s death. A petition titled “Vigar’s Law,” which calls for the removal of brick walls and other hard, immovable structures near touchlines and bylines, had gathered more than 2,500 signatures by Friday morning. Dorking Wanderers manager Mark White joined the call, describing some English pitches as “lethal” and urging the FA to order an immediate inquiry into pitch surrounds.

The case is not without precedent. In November 2022, Bath City’s Alex Fletcher survived a life-threatening head injury after colliding with advertising hoardings; he spent time in a coma and later returned to football before retiring in 2024. Fletcher has been cited by players and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) as part of a broader call to action. He told the BBC in 2023 that progress had stalled and that incidents like his should not be forgotten as grounds are modernised.

The PFA said on Friday that all footballers should expect to be safe when they go out to play or train, and that a formal investigation into Vigar’s death is warranted to establish full circumstances. The union highlighted past concerns about safety around perimeter walls and fences and noted that it would cooperate with investigations, including sharing information that could help protect players in grounds.

Arsenal and Chichester City have both offered condolences and described Vigar as a talented and well-regarded young player. Arsenal noted his time at Hale End and his versatility across forward positions, along with the personal connections he had within the club. Chichester City postponed their upcoming home match as a mark of respect, and tributes continued to flow from the football community as the sport seeks to learn from the tragedy and determine what changes are necessary to keep players safe at every level.