Billy Vigar Chichester and former Arsenal player, dies after sustaining brain injury

The Chichester City forward Billy Vigar has died at the age of 21 after sustaining a “significant brain injury” in a game last Saturday. The former Arsenal player was injured in an Isthmian League match at Wingate & Finchley, leading to its abandonment after 13 minutes.

Chichester said in a statement: “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 to much for him and he passed away on Thursday morning.”

The seventh-tier club, referencing an update provided on Monday regarding Vigar’s condition, also said: “The responses to the original update show how much Billy was thought of and loved within the sport. His family are devastated that this has happened whilst he was playing the sport that he loved.”

Vigar joined Arsenal’s academy in December 2017 at the age of 14 and signed a professional contract there in July 2022. He had loans with Derby, where he played for the under-21s, and Eastbourne Borough before joining Hastings United on a free transfer in July 2024. He signed for Chichester before this season.

Chichester announced on Thursday that Saturday’s game at home to Lewes had been postponed.

Derby joined a host of teams paying tribute online, posting on X: “All at Derby County are deeply saddened by the passing of Billy Vigar. Billy spent the second half of the 2022/23 season with the Academy on loan from Arsenal, making several appearances for the Under-21s. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

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