AN ex-Arsenal star has died following a horror brain jury suffered when he tragically hit his head during a match.
Billy Vigar, 21, of Chichester City was placed into an induced coma during Saturday’s match against Wingate and Finchley.
Billy Vigar was placed in an induced coma following the incident
Vigar had come through the youth ranks at Arsenal
The Isthmian Premier Division game was suspended just 15 minutes in after the striker collided with a hard pitch side surface.
He was treated by an ambulance crew before a helicopter rushed him to hospital.
The fixture was then abandoned completely as the club confirmed Vigar had suffered a brain injury – and he was placed into a coma.
The sad news of Billy’s passing was confirmed by Chichester City Football Club on Thursday evening, who released a statement from his family.
They said: “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 (25th) morning.”
Billy’s distraught family added: “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.”
The time of the accident: “Billy received a significant brain injury and is currently in an induced coma in intensive care receiving the best possible treatment.
“It is too early to say what the outcome will be and even if things go well, there will be a long road to recovery.”
They followed up their statement with a post reading: “Love from the whole CCFC family Billy.”
Career
Vigar, from Worthing, West Sussex, spent his youth career with after joining at age 14 and signed a professional contract in July 2022.
He worked his way up to the U21 team in North , alongside loan spells with U21 and Eastbourne.
In a post to mark his signing, the player said: “Very happy to have signed my first professional contract @arsenal.
“Proud moment for me and my family. The hard work continues.”
He left the club permanently in 2024 after being unable to progress to the senior team, joining Hastings United in the Non-League Premier before his move to Chichester.
The former Arsenal ace suffered a horror brain injury at the weekend
Vigar left Arsenal in 2024 
