In response to a heartbreaking incident that claimed the life of former Arsenal academy striker Billy Vigar, the Football Association (FA) has introduced new safety standards for the National League and Women's National League. The revised rules require clubs to either remove solid brick, breeze‑block or concrete walls that line the edges of their playing surfaces, or to cover those structures with appropriate padding if removal is not feasible due to structural constraints. This policy shift follows a comprehensive safety review triggered by Vigar's fatal injury, which occurred in September 2025 when he collided with a concrete barrier while attempting to keep a ball in play during a match for Chichester City against Wingate & Finchley. Vigar, only 21 at the time of his death, suffered a severe brain injury after striking the hard barrier.
His passing sparked a renewed focus on the hazards posed by rigid, unforgiving perimeter walls that are common at many lower‑tier grounds across England. The FA’s investigation concluded that such obstacles present an unacceptable risk to players, particularly in the fast‑paced, often congested environments of non‑league football where space is limited and collisions are frequent.
The new pitch‑perimeter criteria apply to every club competing in the men’s National League system from steps 1 through 6, as well as to teams in the Women's National League at tiers three and four. Under the updated guidelines, any existing solid brick, breeze‑block or concrete barrier must be taken down "as soon as reasonably practicable". If a wall cannot be dismantled because it forms part of the stadium’s structural integrity, clubs are required to install suitable protective padding that meets the FA’s safety specifications.
The FA has already notified clubs at these levels that they will need to act promptly to comply with the new standards. While the removal or covering of walls can proceed, the FA has clarified that matches may continue to be played at affected venues during the transition period. However, clubs are expected to conduct ongoing risk assessments of their pitch perimeters and to develop realistic timelines for completing any necessary alterations. The governing body stresses that the safety of players must remain the top priority, and that any temporary measures should be monitored closely to ensure they provide adequate protection.
According to the Press Association Sport, roughly 900 clubs operate within the relevant tiers of the National League system. Of those, about 160 have already been contacted by the FA about specific modifications required at their grounds. To ease the financial burden on clubs—many of which operate on modest budgets—the FA and the Premier League have pledged funding through the Premier League Stadium Fund.
This assistance is intended to cover the costs associated with wall removal, the installation of protective padding, and any related structural work. "The initial phase of the programme is already under way, and we will continue to provide full support to the clubs involved in this process," the FA said in a statement.
This commitment reflects a broader effort to improve player welfare at all levels of English football, acknowledging that safety concerns are not confined to the top tiers. The push for a safety review was not new.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) had been urging the FA to examine pitch‑perimeter hazards long before Vigar’s death. In 2022, a separate incident involving Bath City forward Alex Fletcher, who fell into a coma after a similar collision with a solid barrier, highlighted the urgent need for reform. In June 2023, the PFA, together with then‑Sports Minister Stuart Andrew, sent a joint letter to the FA, the Premier League, the English Football League (EFL) and the National League, calling for a proactive review of pitch‑side safety measures.
Following the recent announcement, a PFA spokesperson reiterated the association’s long‑standing concerns: "After Billy Vigar’s tragic death last year, we again highlighted these concerns and made clear our view that the lack of progress and leadership on this issue had been unacceptable. As part of working groups set up by the FA following Billy's death, we pushed for the FA's Stadium Accreditation criteria to be amended to ban these types of walls so that there is a clear and centralised policy for clubs to follow. Given that, it's a welcome step that the FA's regulations have now been changed to reflect that position. However, it will now be important for progress on the removal of such walls—and effective mitigation of risks ahead of their removal—to be properly monitored, and for clubs to be given the support they need so that these changes can happen as soon as possible.
Player safety must always come first." The new regulations mark a significant shift in how lower‑league football grounds are managed. Historically, many clubs installed brick or concrete walls simply because they were inexpensive and durable. Yet the modern understanding of sports injuries, especially traumatic brain injuries, has evolved dramatically.
Research indicates that impact with a hard surface can cause severe concussions or even fatal outcomes, particularly when players are moving at high speed and have limited time to react. By eliminating or cushioning these barriers, the FA aims to reduce the incidence of such injuries and to align the safety standards of non‑league football with those already in place at higher levels. Implementation will involve practical steps for clubs.
First, each club must conduct a detailed audit of its pitch perimeter to identify any prohibited structures. Next, they will develop a remediation plan that outlines whether walls will be demolished or padded, the timeline for completion, and the budget required. The FA’s funding scheme will be allocated based on need, with priority given to clubs where removal is essential for player safety. Throughout the process, clubs will be required to submit progress reports to the FA, ensuring transparency and accountability.
In addition to physical alterations, the FA is also encouraging clubs to adopt broader safety protocols. These include training ground staff on emergency response procedures, ensuring that medical personnel are present at all matches, and promoting awareness among players about the dangers of colliding with hard objects.
Educational campaigns may be rolled out in conjunction with the PFA to reinforce best practices and to foster a culture of safety throughout the football community. The broader football community has largely welcomed the changes. Fans, players, and officials recognize that protecting athletes should be a non‑negotiable priority. While some smaller clubs may initially view the required works as a financial strain, the promise of funding and the long‑term benefits of a safer playing environment are expected to outweigh short‑term challenges.
Moreover, the move sets a precedent that could inspire similar safety reforms in other sports where rigid barriers pose a risk. In summary, the FA’s new pitch‑side wall policy represents a decisive response to a tragic loss, aiming to prevent future incidents by mandating the removal or padding of solid barriers at National League and Women's National League venues. With financial support from the Premier League Stadium Fund, a clear implementation framework, and ongoing oversight, the initiative seeks to safeguard players at every level of the game. The hope is that, through these measures, the football world can honor Billy Vigar’s memory by ensuring that no other young player suffers a similar fate on the pitch.