Billy Vigar's death

21-year-old Billy Vigar died from a significant brain injury after colliding with a concrete wall at Wingate and Finchley FC in London.

“He was 21 years old and he lost it playing football when he didn't need to”

Parents' accusation

Camilla Vigar claims the FA ignored warnings about concrete pitch dangers after similar deaths in 2015 and 2022.

“The FA could have stopped Billy losing his life because they had so many warnings”

2015 incident

Amateur footballer Ben Hiscox died after hitting a clubhouse near Bristol in 2015.

2022 incident

Alex Fletcher fractured his skull in 2022 after colliding with concrete barriers at Bath City.

“The FA had ignored my years of campaigning on pitch perimeter safety”

FA review

The FA updated pitch safety rules to ban solid concrete, brick, and breeze block barriers after Vigar's death.

169 clubs affected

169 clubs in the National League System and Women's National League must add padding to concrete walls by Christmas.

Bath City response

Bath City welcomed the rule change but noted they still have solid perimeter walls on their pitch.

“We welcome the ruling as it seeks to improve player safety”

Vigar's career

Billy joined Arsenal's academy at 14 and spent nearly seven years there before playing for Chichester City.

Parents' call for action

The Vigars want safety rules extended to all football levels, not just the National League.

“It needs to change basically at all levels, not just at the levels that have changed”

Fletcher's stance

Alex Fletcher says the FA ignored his campaigns for safer pitch perimeters and must be held accountable.

“That is a complete dereliction of duty on their part”