Chichester City striker Billy Vigar in induced coma after sustaining brain injury during match
Chichester City FC have revealed striker Billy Vigar is in an induced coma in hospital in London after he sustained a ‘significant’ brain injury in Saturday’s match at Wingate and Finchley.
The Isthmian premier division match was little more than ten minutes old when the injury occurred and was soon abandoned when it became obvious how serious the injury was.
Billy was treated promptly and an ambulance arrived quickly, and then an air ambulance, whose crew gave further treatment. The land ambulance then took him to hospital.
City gave an update on the 21-year-old forward on Monday evening and it will have stunned everyone in the football community who have already started to send love and prayers to Billy – as he is looked after and treated in St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington – and to his family and friends and all at Chichester City.
The club said: “Billy received a significant brain injury and is currently in an induced coma in intensive care receiving the best possible treatment.
"It is too early to say what the outcome will be and even if things go well,there will be a long road to recovery ahead. Love from the whole of the CCFC family, Billy.”
The injury came when he collided with a concrete wall after trying to keep the ball in play while running at speed but then losing his balance. He ended up falling backwards into the wall.
Billy, who was on Arsenal’s books for seven years, has played for Derby County U21s, Eastbourne Borough and Hastings United.
He joined Chi City after a trial in the summer. He has been playing well in the frontline in the first six weeks of the season and has scored in two of their away wins, at Hashtag and at Carshalton.
City had issued a statement on Sunday night, saying: “Chichester City Football Club can confirm that on Saturday September 20th one of our players sustained a serious injury in our match at Wingate & Finchley.”
Wingate and Finchley said in a statement of their own after City had issued the more detailed update: “Everyone at Wingate & Finchley continues to keep Billy, his loved ones and all at Chichester City in our thoughts. Wishing him strength on the fight to recovery.”