Billy Vigar: Police Investigation Into Death Unlikely to Conclude for Two Months

Police Investigation Into Billy Vigar’s Death Continues

The police investigation into the death of former Arsenal academy player Billy Vigar is still ongoing, a coroner’s court has heard. Acting Detective Sergeant Colin Chandler of the Metropolitan Police told a pre-inquest review hearing that he expected the investigation to require another two to three months.

Chandler did not disclose the lines of enquiry being pursued. BBC Sport has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment. Vigar died from a significant brain injury in September 2025, five days after colliding with a concrete wall surrounding a pitch while playing for Chichester City at Wingate and Finchley’s stadium.

Vigar’s parents, Keith and Camilla, attended Thursday’s hearing at Barnet Coroner’s Court. Representatives from the Football Association and Barnet Council were also present. Former Bath City player Alex Fletcher, who fractured his skull after colliding with concrete barriers beside his club’s pitch in 2022, attended the hearing as well, alongside Professional Footballers’ Association representative Adam White.

Vigar Family Questions Football Safety Response

Speaking to BBC Sport on the one-year anniversary, Keith and Camilla Vigar said that the FA could have stopped Billy losing his life because they had so many warnings. During the hearing, Camilla Vigar questioned why the Football Association had not acted sooner despite earlier incidents and warnings.

“I don’t understand how the FA waited for Billy to die before they actioned anything when there was so much warning beforehand.”

Camilla Vigar also referred to previous incidents involving Ben Hiscox and Alex Fletcher, and said an investigation following Fletcher’s accident had identified around 160 high-risk clubs, including Wingate and Finchley.

Ben Hiscox dying in 2015. Alex had his big accident in 2022. The investigation they did after that highlighted about 160 high-risk clubs. Wingate was one of them. They did nothing.

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Questions Over Barnet Council’s Role

Keith Vigar used the hearing to raise an issue with Barnet not being an interested party in the case. He questioned the circumstances of an investigation conducted at Wingate and Finchley and expressed concern about Barnet Council’s role as the local authority.

“Personally I don’t quite understand how the investigation carried out at the football club, Wingate and Finchley… I see it as a bit of a conflict of interest that Barnet as the local authority carried out that investigation. It feels like they are marking their own homework,”

The police investigation remains active, and the coroner’s proceedings will continue as further information is gathered. The next hearing has been scheduled for 10 February.

Why This Matters

The case has raised broader questions about safety standards around football pitches, the management of concrete barriers and the response to previously identified risks. The presence of Football Association and Barnet Council representatives at the hearing reflects the wider institutional context surrounding Vigar’s death, while the ongoing police investigation and inquest are expected to examine the circumstances in greater detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Billy Vigar?

Billy Vigar suffered a significant brain injury after colliding with a concrete wall surrounding a pitch while playing for Chichester City at Wingate and Finchley’s stadium. He died five days later in September 2025.

What is the current status of the police investigation?

Acting Detective Sergeant Colin Chandler told the pre-inquest review that the Metropolitan Police investigation was ongoing and would likely require another two to three months. He did not provide details about the lines of enquiry.

When is the next hearing?

A further hearing at Barnet Coroner’s Court has been scheduled for 10 February.