RIP. Maybe his legacy can be not having unprotected dangerous surfaces near any UK football pitch, because whenever anything like this happens around the world my feeling is 'why even allow the chance of it'
I think I read somewhere of another huge head injury like this at a non-league ground in the not too-distant past. Some of the old grounds do have stands so close to the pitch with concrete involved.
God, brings back memories of when Lee Chapman had a huge head injury at White Hart Lane playing for Leeds in the early 90s when he fell on the pitch surround, which was tarmac/gravel I think back in them days.
I think I read somewhere of another huge head injury like this at a non-league ground in the not too-distant past. Some of the old grounds do have stands so close to the pitch with concrete involved.
God, brings back memories of when Lee Chapman had a huge head injury at White Hart Lane playing for Leeds in the early 90s when he fell on the pitch surround, which was tarmac/gravel I think back in them days.
Imagine if the Ben Thatcher attack on Pedro Mendes had happened at a non league ground with a wall adjacent to the pitch.
Pretty ludicrous that so many non league grounds have this dangerous feature. Billy's family must be so devastated by this avoidable death.
I think I read somewhere of another huge head injury like this at a non-league ground in the not too-distant past. Some of the old grounds do have stands so close to the pitch with concrete involved.
God, brings back memories of when Lee Chapman had a huge head injury at White Hart Lane playing for Leeds in the early 90s when he fell on the pitch surround, which was tarmac/gravel I think back in them days.
Imagine if the Ben Thatcher attack on Pedro Mendes had happened at a non league ground with a wall adjacent to the pitch.
Pretty ludicrous that so many non league grounds have this dangerous feature. Billy's family must be so devastated by this avoidable death.
Still can't believe he didn't get a straight red for that! Anyhow, back on track. RIP young man. Taken far far too soon.
I think I read somewhere of another huge head injury like this at a non-league ground in the not too-distant past. Some of the old grounds do have stands so close to the pitch with concrete involved.
God, brings back memories of when Lee Chapman had a huge head injury at White Hart Lane playing for Leeds in the early 90s when he fell on the pitch surround, which was tarmac/gravel I think back in them days.
Imagine if the Ben Thatcher attack on Pedro Mendes had happened at a non league ground with a wall adjacent to the pitch.
Pretty ludicrous that so many non league grounds have this dangerous feature. Billy's family must be so devastated by this avoidable death.
Still can't believe he didn't get a straight red for that! Anyhow, back on track. RIP young man. Taken far far too soon.
Such a shocking way to go - I hope changes are made as a result.
Terrible news. A real shame it wasn't picked up on by The FA and other organisations when it happened to the Bath Player a couple of seasons ago. Welling have released a statement about sorting the Park End ASAP but it shouldn't take a death to act on such an obvious risk
No one should die playing football. In an era when health and safety is such a prominent topic, it is difficult to understand why and how this has happened. How many players have been injured in such circumstances?
Alex Fletcher was the Bath player who smashed into concrete advertising hoardings in November 22. Alex had brain surgery which saved his life and even tried a come back around a year later but eventually retired at 25 to join the brain health department to raise awareness. I haven't heard a comment from Fletcher recently but he did feel that not enough was being done last year.
When clubs like Chelsea can pay Sterling 320k a week to not even play then surely the Premier League and its clubs can donate money to make grounds safe for players lower down the pyramid.
RIP to 21 year old Billy Vigar and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and team mates.
Terrible way to go and so preventable. Even in F1 now they have protected much of the Armco barriers with collapsable padding. Shouldn't cost a fortune to do similar in a football ground. RIP - but hopefully will trigger some action.
I felt sick when I heard about this happening, by gross coincidence it was almost to the day 16 years ago a very close mate of mine was killed by a head injury playing football. The impact of that on me, his brothers and a lot of us that I will only admit now was I essentially ceased to take playing football how I had always played the game seriously from that moment.
I personally would get a feeling akin to touching a hot iron playing 5 a side even on 3G pitches if me or anyone else went within striking distance of the walls. I never played on a hard indoor surface again and I wont even go into the place it happened and go cold when I have to work or drive nearby it. I would previously play with a borderline pyschotic desire to win the ball and the man being in the way didnt hugely feature in my plans to get the ball as a consideration. After Dave was killed I just let people have the ball and was about 5% of the player I was before rather than even risk visualising someone going over and headfirst into a solid concrete surface. I don't think I've ever told anyone that but it would have been obvious to anyone who knew what had happened.
I really feel for this young mans parents, his teammates, his opponents on the day and anyone in the ground to be honest.
You can't de-risk everything, not by a long way however having solid walls so close to the playing surface must be at least reviewed and in my mind if they have to remain, to have the FA and premier league help pay for proper cushioning, cover it in adverts for all it matters but the value of protecting people from a consequence like this especially given the physical demands on all footballers nowadays at every level cannot be understated.
This is tragic. I know W&F well and it had never ever crossed my mind how dangerous it could be! We played there in the London Cup thing last seaso, so easily could have been one of our players. RIP young man.
Terrible news. A real shame it wasn't picked up on by The FA and other organisations when it happened to the Bath Player a couple of seasons ago. Welling have released a statement about sorting the Park End ASAP but it shouldn't take a death to act on such an obvious risk
RIP Billy
The frustrating thing is that Welling and its supporters contributed more to this poor man than the FA. Welling played them in their next game.
Comments
RIP Billy.
I noticed Welling have said they are reviewing the surrounding areas of their pitch as a result
I think I read somewhere of another huge head injury like this at a non-league ground in the not too-distant past. Some of the old grounds do have stands so close to the pitch with concrete involved.
God, brings back memories of when Lee Chapman had a huge head injury at White Hart Lane playing for Leeds in the early 90s when he fell on the pitch surround, which was tarmac/gravel I think back in them days.
Pretty ludicrous that so many non league grounds have this dangerous feature. Billy's family must be so devastated by this avoidable death.
Anyhow, back on track. RIP young man. Taken far far too soon.
RIP Billy
RIP Billy
When clubs like Chelsea can pay Sterling 320k a week to not even play then surely the Premier League and its clubs can donate money to make grounds safe for players lower down the pyramid.
RIP to 21 year old Billy Vigar and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and team mates.
Billy's death must bring about change.
I felt sick when I heard about this happening, by gross coincidence it was almost to the day 16 years ago a very close mate of mine was killed by a head injury playing football. The impact of that on me, his brothers and a lot of us that I will only admit now was I essentially ceased to take playing football how I had always played the game seriously from that moment.
I personally would get a feeling akin to touching a hot iron playing 5 a side even on 3G pitches if me or anyone else went within striking distance of the walls. I never played on a hard indoor surface again and I wont even go into the place it happened and go cold when I have to work or drive nearby it. I would previously play with a borderline pyschotic desire to win the ball and the man being in the way didnt hugely feature in my plans to get the ball as a consideration. After Dave was killed I just let people have the ball and was about 5% of the player I was before rather than even risk visualising someone going over and headfirst into a solid concrete surface. I don't think I've ever told anyone that but it would have been obvious to anyone who knew what had happened.
I really feel for this young mans parents, his teammates, his opponents on the day and anyone in the ground to be honest.
You can't de-risk everything, not by a long way however having solid walls so close to the playing surface must be at least reviewed and in my mind if they have to remain, to have the FA and premier league help pay for proper cushioning, cover it in adverts for all it matters but the value of protecting people from a consequence like this especially given the physical demands on all footballers nowadays at every level cannot be understated.
So tragic.
FA in immediate safety review after Vigar death
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c20e5ejvd2noWelling played them in their next game.