In a year in which sport has suffered many tragic losses, it is the most recent one that has personally hit me the most, the tragic passing of Billy Vigar. A player who played for my local team, Hastings United, and grew up in the academy of the team I support, Arsenal.
Vigar tragically lost his life after an incident at a football game in which he collided with a concrete barrier and passed after battling the injuries. This terrible event cannot be repeated, and the name Billy Vigar cannot be forgotten in the hearts of sports fans around the world.
This has ignited a desire in sporting fans around the country to make a change to non-league football in the form of a law that is being pushed, removing brick walls and other hard structures from the sides of football pitches across non-league clubs. In this article, I will analyse the potential law and its impact on the game of football that we all love.
The law itself looks to ban clubs from having any form of hard barrier at football grounds across the country. Sadly, the passing of Vigar is not an isolated incident, with injuries happening across the football pyramid all the way down to the grassroots game. Three years ago, the former Bath City player, Alex Fletcher, collided with a concrete advertising board, forcing him to retire from the game he loved due to the long-term effects of the collision.
The petition, at the time of writing, has 14,000 signatures, prompting mass support from across the football pyramid. Non-league side Dorking Wanderers, best known for featuring on the ‘Bunch of Amateurs’ YouTube channel, have encouraged their supporters to sign the petition and make a change in football.
Fletcher has told the BBC that the death “was entirely preventable” and that the FA-led review is too late, stating that “his recommendations have not been acted upon”. Tragically, it has taken a young man’s passing for change to potentially be made.
Although I never played the sport to the highest level when I was a kid, I even saw the dangerous barriers linked up around non-league clubs around the country, such as that of the Harry Abraham Stadium, home to Wingate and Finchley FC.
In an era where we are encouraging player wellbeing and safety from an early age, it is inexcusable to overlook the barriers around grounds, as the FA has done. If we are banning heading for young players under the age of 12, how can we continue to have these facilities, which are not built for the purpose, in the 21st century?
The Impact
The petition states many reasons as to why this change is needed, with player safety being at the forefront of these reasons. These barriers are outdated and can easily be substituted for padded barriers or railings, making it safer for players.
Similarly, they do not improve pitch security in a way that cannot be replaced by other methods, such as those mentioned above. There is no reason why the changes proposed in the petition cannot be implemented, resulting in drastic changes to football across all levels.
The FA’s Response
The FA has announced that, in the aftermath of the incident, it is conducting an immediate review of the perimeter of football grounds at National League grounds across the country. Although the aftermath of this investigation has not occurred, the review is needed, and hopefully the FA will act swiftly with their response, in producing the best course of action possible.
Reflection
In the aftermath of the incident, I have done a lot of personal reflection on the importance of life and how short it can truly be. However, my feelings do not even begin to match the pain that Billy’s family is going through, for which I speak on behalf of The Badger. I send them love and wish them the best through this challenging time.
Although a life cannot be replaced, Billy Vigar will not be forgotten in the hearts of football fans across the country. This must be the last incident of this kind, and safety must be at the forefront of any changes the FA makes. Changes must be made to protect the future of the beautiful game.
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