Tributes pour in for ex-Arsenal striker Billy Vigar | OneFootball

Tributes are pouring in for former Arsenal academy forward Billy Vigar, amid a fundraising effort for the player’s family following his recent passing.

Photo by Neil Holmes via ChichesterCityFC.co.uk

Click here for a GoFundMe page set up to support Billy Vigar’s family, created with the blessing of those close to him

Chichester City FC recently confirmed the tragic passing of ex-Arsenal academy striker Billy Vigar, with the player having suffered a serious brain injury whilst playing for the non-league club. The news was a complete shock to all, including Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

“Some shocking news,” Arteta said in a press conference after the news was revealed. “Straight away I was thinking about the family and how difficult it is to go through something like this in a very unexpected way.

“Hopefully [the football authorities] will dig in and understand what happened, why it happened and try to avoid these kinds of things. Really sad news and our full support with the family and our thoughts with all the loved ones.”

Photo via Luca Hodges-Ramon on Twitter

Since then, further tributes have poured in for Vigar. The Emirates Stadium united for a period of applause ahead of last Wednesday’s game against Olympiacos, with even the away support rising to their feet and applauding along with the Arsenal fans.

After postponing some recent matches, Chichester City returned to the pitch over the weekend, with the whole team wearing pre-match shirts with Vigar’s picture and black armbands with “BV9 – Heaven has gained a striker” printed on them.

The club also placed wreaths, a Vigar 9 shirt and a black and white scarf on the pitch ahead of the match.

Photo by Neil Holmes via ChichesterCityFC.co.uk

Away from Chichester City themselves, Wolves u21 forward Fletcher Holman paid tribute to Vigar by celebrating a goal against Leicester City by revealing a shirt with “RIP Billy Vigar” printed on it.

Holman had played alongside Vigar with Eastbourne Borough, with Vigar on loan there from Arsenal at the time.

“On a personal note, to put that goal in memory of one of my ex-teammates Billy Vigar, it was so personal for me,” Holman said. “I’m really happy with it, but thank you to Billy for helping me do that. [It was] in loving memory of him.”

Photo via Wolves Academy on Twitter

Vigar’s agent also shared a tribute on social media, giving an insight into what the young player was like away from the pitch.

“No words will truly express the person you were and the sadness caused by your passing,” Luca Hodges-Ramon wrote on social media. “I will remember you as a humble and caring human being who always put others first, on and off the pitch.

“The last picture in this tribute (editor’s note: shown below), is an example of that person. I will remember that New Year’s Day for the rest of my life.

“You were going through a tough time in your career but you were still happy to spend time with my little cousins after a game in which you had come off injured.

“That was you. Despite the injuries and the setbacks you never complained or gave up. You remained true to yourself and were always kind to those around you. A beautiful gesture by a beautiful human being.”

Photo via Luca Hodges-Ramon on Twitter

It’s clear that Vigar was popular with all who knew him, with those closest to the young forward now having to come to terms with his absence.

It’s worth highlighting again that there’s a GoFundMe page accepting donations for the Vigar family, with over £16,000 already having been raised at the time of writing.

The list of donations includes a number of fellow non-league clubs, family members of current Arsenal academy players, Arsenal academy manager Per Mertesacker, and likely many Arsenal fans already.

The player’s family certainly deserves the support of the Arsenal fanbase right now.