Former Arsenal Youth Striker dies – English FA to assess the safety of walls around throws after the death of Billy Vigar

The FA will assess the safety of walls and boundaries in the National League system after the former Arsenal Academy player Billy Vigar died after a considerable brain injury while playing for the seventh side Chicester City.

Local media reports said that the 21-year-old Saturday hit his head on a concrete barrier next to the field in the Isthmian League Premier Division match on Saturday. He died in the hospital on Thursday.

«We will now perform an immediate assessment, working with competitions, clubs and relevant stakeholders in the game, which will focus on the safety of perimeter walls and boundaries around fields in the National League system,» said the English administrative body in a statement on Friday.

«This includes looking at ways in which we can help National League System Clubs to identify and implement additional measures in their stadiums that they determine in reducing possible safety risks.»

Related: Former Arsenal – youth player Billy Vigar dies – who was the young person and what happened to him?

Tribute will be paid to Vigar in FA Cup and national competitions this weekend, the statement added.

The National League system is located under the Football League, with the Isthmian League at levels seven and eight from the English football pyramid.

Published on September 26, 2025