Our son’s death could have been prevented by FA – Billy Vigar’s parents
Billy Vigar’s parents say their son’s death could have been prevented, accusing the Football Association of failing to act on earlier warnings about dangerous pitchside barriers. Vigar, a 21-year-old former Arsenal academy striker, died in September 2025 after colliding with a concrete wall while playing for Chichester City against Wingate and Finchley.
The family cited the deaths of Ben Hiscox in 2015 and the serious injury suffered by Alex Fletcher in 2022. Following Vigar’s death, the FA reviewed more than 900 clubs and changed its rules to prohibit solid brick, breeze-block and concrete barriers around pitches; 169 clubs have been told to make changes, with funding from the FA and Premier League. The FA declined to comment on the family’s claim that previous safety-review findings were not acted upon.
- Billy Vigar’s parents blame the FA for failing to address known pitchside dangers.
- Vigar died aged 21 after hitting a concrete wall during a match.
- New safety measures affect 169 clubs and are being funded by the FA and Premier League.