A WINGATE & FINCHLEY club boss claims to have received death threats following the tragic passing of Billy Vigar.
Former youngster Vigar earlier this week after sustaining fatal injuries while playing for Chichester at Wingate & Finchley in the Isthmian League Premier Division last Saturday.
Billy Vigar tragically died while playing for Chichester last week
Vigar sustained fatal injuries while playing at Maurice Rebak Stadium
Vigar received lengthy treatment on the pitch after hitting his head before being airlifted to hospital and placed in an induced coma.
He then underwent surgery but tragically died from his injuries.
Last Saturday’s awful incident at Wingate & Finchley’s Maurice Rebak Stadium has sparked calls for brick walls surrounding football pitches .
A petition has gathered more than 9,000 signatures, with the FA confirming yesterday that they are launching a review.
In the emotional days since Vigar’s passing, a “senior figure” within Wingate & Finchley claims to have received “death threats” – alleging that their club has been “blamed” for what happened.
An unnamed club source told the Mail : “I’ve received death threats, I feel under threat.
“My son has, too. It’s terrible, there’s a poor lad and his family at the centre of this. Everyone is coming at me and blaming us for what’s happened.
“We are all grieving here. What we all do is voluntary. I do a lot in this community, you can ask around, and this is just awful.”
Vigar was previously on the books at Arsenal
Upon news of Vigar’s passing, Wingate & Finchley released a statement in tribute.
It read: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Billy Vigar.
“Our sincere condolences go out to Billy’s family, and to our friends at Chichester City FC at this incredibly difficult time.”
Both Wingate & Finchley and Chichester’s fixtures originally scheduled for today have been postponed.
The former were next due to play at Maurice Rebak Stadium on Tuesday night.
But the fixture against Folkestone Invicta has been called off.
Enfield Borough, who also play home games at Maurice Rebak Stadium, have had their match originally scheduled for later today postponed.
Their opponents Clapton CFC wrote in a statement, which was reposted by Enfield Borough: “In light of the death of Billy Vigar after an incident at the Maurice Rebak Stadium, our game there against Enfield Borough (has) been postponed. RIP Billy.”
Dorking Wanderers owner Marc White has been among the most vocal when it comes to banning pitchside brick walls.
The 51-year-old wants Vigar’s awful death to spark meaningful change, and prior to the FA confirming their review, wrote on X: “All clubs need @FA to instruct an immediate enquiry into pitch surrounds.
“Many are dangerous and players always have to be cautious given the proximity from the pitch.
“But some simply do not move and are lethal. These need removing immediately.”
