Eight weeks after the tragic incident that shook the non-league football community, Wingate & Finchley have altered the concrete wall at their Maurice Rebak Stadium following the death of Billy Vigar. The Isthmian Premier League club took action after Vigar, a 21-year-old Chichester City forward and Arsenal academy graduate, collided with the perimeter wall during a match on September 20, 2025. Vigar sustained a significant brain injury and passed away five days later.
The incident occurred just 13 minutes into the home game, which was immediately abandoned. Vigar was airlifted to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The tragedy sparked widespread grief and concern, prompting the Football Association (FA) to launch an immediate review of safety measures at non-league grounds. The review will focus on the safety of perimeter walls and boundaries around pitches in the National League System, specifically from the fifth to the tenth tier.
In addition to the FA's review, Wingate & Finchley have taken their own steps to address the concerns raised by Vigar's death. The club has altered the perspective of the pitch and made changes to the concrete wall that surrounds the playing field. Details of the exact alterations remain limited, but these modifications signal a commitment to improving player safety at the Maurice Rebak Stadium.
Joe Sharpe, vice-chair of Wingate & Finchley, acknowledged the somber atmosphere surrounding the club's return to their home ground. "It's as much of a normal Saturday as it can be," Sharpe stated, "But I don't think there's any joy". Despite the ongoing grief, the club is determined to honor Vigar's memory and ensure that lessons are learned from the tragedy.
The incident has also reignited discussions about the presence of concrete walls and other potentially hazardous structures around football pitches. Critics argue that these walls pose an unacceptable risk to players, especially those without protective headgear. Several past incidents have highlighted the dangers, including a 2022 collision involving Alex Fletcher of Bath City and a wall, and a 2013 incident where part of a wall collapsed during a Leatherhead match.
A fundraising campaign for Vigar's family, initiated by a Chichester City teammate, has raised over £18,000, demonstrating the outpouring of support from the football community. As Vigar's family grieves, the FA faces increasing questions regarding its response to safety issues in non-league football. The alterations made by Wingate & Finchley represent a step towards addressing these concerns, but further action is needed to ensure player safety across all levels of the sport.
