'Player safety must come first': Ochieng calls on FA to act after Billy Vigar's fatal injury

Henry Ochieng. Credit: George Beck

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Slough Town’s captain Henry Ochieng has written an open letter to the Football Association and the National League calling on them to take immediate action across the non-league game in response to Billy Vigar’s tragic death earlier this month.

Vigar, a former Arsenal Academy graduate, suffered a serious head injury after colliding with a concrete wall close to the pitch while playing for Chichester City in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

He died later that week in hospital and the football community has united in the past week to express their condolences to his family and teammates following the incident.

In response, Ochieng and Slough are calling on the National League and FA to ensure all stadiums provide safe perimeters around the pitch to minimise the danger of such incidents.

As Ochieng highlights in his open letter, this is not an isolated incident. He says ‘football is a sport and should not come at the expense of basic player safety’.

A couple of seasons ago, Alex Fletcher suffered a serious head injury in similar circumstances while playing for Bath City at Twerton Park and spent 10 days in a coma before thankfully recovering.

Writing last week, Ochieng said: “In light of the recent tragic and fatal incident where Billy Vigar sustained a serious head injury after colliding with concrete walls positioned dangerously close to the pitch, we at Slough Town wish to express our deepest condolences.

“Our thoughts are firmly with the player, his family, teammates and everyone affected by this devastating event; we hope for strength and support to surround them in the days ahead.

“This incident serves as a sobering reminder that while football is a sport we all love; it should never come at the expense of basic player safety.

“As players we are expected to perform at the highest levels, showcasing skill, dedication, and passion for the game.

In return, it is only right that they are provided with safe environments in which to compete – it is at this we conclude, player safety must come before anything else.

“Football should never be played in environments where preventable dangers are present. Stadiums with hard, unprotected structures directly adjacent to the field of play put players at unacceptable risk.

“Injuries of this nature are preventable, and the onus must be on all governing bodies, clubs, and facilities to ensure that safety standards are upheld without compromise.”

The 26-year-old added: “I call on the National League and The FA to introduce and enforce immediate regulations to ensure that all stadiums provide safe perimeters around the pitch.

“Adequate protections and barriers must be put in place without delay. These standards are not optional - they are essential to safeguarding the wellbeing of every player who steps onto the field.

“Football thrives when those within it - players, coaches, officials and supporters alike - work together to protect and uplift the game. I ask you, as leaders of our sport, to take decisive action now so that no other player, teammate, or opponent suffers avoidable harm.”