Chichester City forward Billy Vigar dies after brain injury

Chichester City forward and former Arsenal academy player Billy Vigar has died after suffering a significant brain injury during an Isthmian League Premier Division match last Saturday at Wingate and Finchley. The 21 year old, who had been put into an induced coma after the on-pitch incident, underwent surgery on Tuesday but passed away on Thursday morning, his family and club said.

Vigar was injured early in the match while attempting to keep the ball in play and struck a concrete perimeter wall, prompting lengthy treatment on the field and the arrival of ambulance and air ambulance crews. The game was abandoned after 13 minutes. Chichester City said in a statement from the family, "After sustaining a significant brain injury last Saturday, Billy Vigar 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 club asked for privacy for the family at this difficult time.

Vigar came through Arsenal's Hale End academy, joining the club as a schoolboy at 14 and signing professional terms in July 2022. He made appearances in Arsenal's under-18 and...