Wingate & Finchley Postpones Matches Following Tragic Death of Player Billy Vigar
Non-league club Wingate & Finchley has postponed its next two home fixtures and plans to install safety padding around its ground following the tragic death of Chichester City player Billy Vigar.
The 21-year-old striker passed away on Thursday after suffering a "significant brain injury" during a match for Isthmian League Chichester at Wingate & Finchley on September 20.
Reports indicate that Vigar collided with a concrete wall during the game.
In a statement, Wingate & Finchley announced, "Out of respect for the memory of Billy Vigar, the club has decided to postpone this week's two home fixtures: the match against Folkestone on Tuesday night and Thursday night's FA Youth Cup match. Following such tragic circumstances, there is currently no appetite for football at the Maurice Rebak Stadium."
The club has been in close communication with the Football Association (FA) and expressed gratitude for their understanding and support. They also thanked the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) for assisting in addressing the welfare of their players.
In light of the recent events, the club is committed to addressing safety concerns and plans to install rubber safety padding around the ground once it receives full accreditation from the relevant authorities.
On Friday, the FA announced it would conduct an immediate safety review of perimeter walls at football grounds within the National League system. This decision followed a call from the PFA for a comprehensive investigation, emphasizing that players should not face unnecessary and avoidable risks.
Both Wingate & Finchley and Chichester City's matches scheduled for Saturday were postponed, with tributes to Vigar being paid during FA Cup and lower league matches across the country.