Death of Chichester City striker Billy Vigar is confirmed

The worst news was confirmed on Thursday evening by Chi City, who passed on a statement from his family.

That statement said: “After sustaining a significant injury last Saturday, Billy was put in an induced coma.

"On Tuesday he needed an operation to aid any chances of recovery.

"Although this helped, the injury proved too much for him and he passed away on Thursday morning.

"The responses to the original update show how much Billy was loved within the sport. His family are devastated that this has happened while he was playing the sport he loved.”

Chichester City said they were passing on the news of the 21-year-old former Arsenal player’s passing ‘with great sadness’ and added: “We request that his family's privacy is respected at this most difficult time.

"Rest in peace Billy. Forever in the hearts of all at Chichester City Football Club.”

Billy, whose family are from West Sussex, spent seven years with Arsenal FC from his schoolboy days through to a year on loan at Eastbourne Borough in 2023-24, where he impressed in the Sports’ National League South team.

Also having had a spell with Derby County U21s, Billy joined Hastings United last season – where again he was highly thought of – but his 24-25 campaign was cut short by a serious knee injury.

In the summer he had a trial with Chichester City and joined them for the 25-26 season and was a regular in the side in the early weeks of the season, scoring in their Isthmian premier division wins over Hashtag United and Carshalton.

City’s management had told us of a highly promising young player who was a dream to coach and was a very hard worker.

It was just over ten minutes into Saturday’s Isthmian premier division game at Wingate and Finchley when Billy chased a ball forward and in trying to keep it in play, lost his balance and ended up colliding with a brick wall behind the pitch, his head making an impact with the structure.

It was immediately obvious the injury was serious and as well as being treated by medical staff who were present at the game, an ambulance and air ambulance were called.

Paramedics treated him at the scene before he was taken by ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, with Chi City manager Miles Rutherford following in order to be with him.

Chi City issued an update on his condition on Monday night which shocked the football world – saying he had suffered a ‘significant brain injury’ and was in an induced coma with no guarantee about the outcome.

That sparked a wave of messages of love, support and prayers from clubs across Sussex and much farther afield, at all levels of the game – a wave which is being repeated now that the worsr news has been confirmed.

Billy’s death has sparked a debate on football grounds which have any brick and concrete structures near to pitch perimeters, with some in the game already calling for a full look at the issue.

A statement from Arsenal said everyone at the club was "deeply sorry" to hear of his death. "Billy joined our academy on schoolboy terms aged 14, after being scouted at his hometown club Hove Rivervale FC and excelled as a striker at Hale End, scoring 17 goals in his debut season," the club said.

"In 2020, his performances earned him a scholarship and joined us full-time for the 2020-21 season, his intake including current players Charles Sagoe Jr, Remy Mitchell and others such as Omari Hutchinson, Charlie Patino and Brook Norton-Cuffy.

"Quick, powerful and fiercely determined, his first season as a scholar was blighted by a serious hamstring injury, but he made up for it in his second, scoring four goals in 18 under-18 appearances and signed professional terms for the club at the end of that 2021-22 season.

"Billy went on to appear for us in the PL2 and EFL Trophy and proved to be an asset across the forward positions and even deputised in defence – his versatility illustrating his commitment to the coaching staff and his team.

"As well as his significant talent, Billy will always be remembered for his love of the game, pride at representing our football club - he once called the day he was spotted by our scouts as 'the most important of his life' – and a character beloved by team-mates and coaches alike.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time."

Eastbourne Borough also paid a fulsome tribute to a player they took on loan from Arsenal during the 2023/24 season, when he made 32 appearances for the club.

Borough said: “Both footballing and non-footballing club staff are shocked and deeply saddened of the news, and our thoughts are with Billy’s family at this terrible time.”

Chairman and owner Simon Leslie said: “Billy was such a wonderful, charismatic character who was a pleasure to work with during his time with us. He has left a lasting impression on the whole club, and he will be remembered by everyone who worked with him. We wish Billy’s family strength at this time .”

Eastbourne Borough are due to play Chichester City in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup soon, and the club will be honouring Billy and donating the proceeds of the gate in his memory.