Pitchside concrete wall at Maurice Rebak Stadium removed after Billy Vigar’s death

Wingate & Finchley have taken down a concrete pitchside wall at the Maurice Rebak Stadium after the death of Billy Vigar, the Chichester City striker.

Vigar, 21, died in September 2025 after suffering a serious brain injury during his side’s match at the London ground. It is understood the injury occurred when he collided with the concrete perimeter wall.

The club has now demolished the wall.

FA launches safety review

The Football Association said it would carry out an immediate safety review of perimeter walls at football grounds in the National League structure following Vigar’s death.

Ground safety has been on the agenda for some time but the removal of the wall at Maurice Rebak Stadium brings the issue into sharp focus.

Voices from the game

A former player who experienced a similar brain injury and is now working in the Professional Footballers’ Association‘s brain health department said he believed the tragedy could have been avoided.

“This was an entirely preventable situation,” Fletcher told BBC Breakfast. “It brought a lot of emotions flooding back for me but my overriding emotion was frustration that the calls for change haven’t been listened to by the FA. I’m afraid this will not be the last [death] if action isn’t taken.”

The unnamed former pro, now 26, was placed in a coma after emergency surgery following his own incident and did not play for 10 months. He has since moved into the PFA’s brain health work.

Vigar’s career

Billy Vigar came through the Arsenal academy, leaving the club in 2024. He had spells with Derby County, Eastbourne Borough and Hastings United before joining Chichester City.

Clubs, governing bodies and supporters will now watch the FA review closely. The removal of the wall is a visible, immediate change — but calls for broader action remain loud.