nonleague

A NON-LEAGUE club has demolished the wall that was struck by former Arsenal star Billy Vigar leading to his tragic death.

The Chichester City ace collided with the pitchside barrier during the Isthmian Premier Division game at Wingate and Finchley last month.

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Vigar, 21, was placed into an induced coma following the accident after he hit his head against the wall.

The game was suspended just 15 minutes in and was abandoned completely after he had been airlifted to hospital.

He had suffered a serious brain injury, and an operation was unable to save his life.

He sadly died just days later on September 25.

Following the tragedy, the FA insisted that it would carry out a safety review of perimeter walls in the National League.

But officials at Wingate and Finchley have already made steps to increase safety around the pitch at the Maurice Rebak Stadium.

The Daily Mail has reported that work has been commissioned to make improvements.

The ground did comply with current regulations, but the club has now demolished the wall completely.

It follows on from a petition calling on brick walls around pitches to be banned reached over 4,000 signatures.

On the immediate review, a FA spokesperson said: “[It woudl] include looking at ways we can assist National League system clubs to identify and implement additional measures at their stadiums that they determine will help to mitigate any potential safety risks.”

Meanwhile, the PFA called for an investigation and demanded that players should “not be put at unnecessary and avoidable risk”.

Vigar, from Worthing, West Sussex, spent his youth career with Arsenal after joining at age 14 and signed a professional contract in July 2022.

He worked his way up to the U21 team in North London, alongside loan spells with Derby County U21 and Eastbourne.

He left the club permanently in 2024 after being unable to progress to the senior team, joining Hastings United in the Non-League Premier before his move to Chichester.

Full statement from Arsenal

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is deeply sorry to hear of the tragic passing of Chichester City forward and former Arsenal academy player, Billy Vigar.

Billy joined our academy on schoolboy terms aged 14, after being scouted at his hometown club Hove Rivervale FC and excelled as a striker at Hale End, scoring 17 goals in his debut season.

In 2020, his performances earned him a scholarship and joined us full-time for the 2020/21 season, his intake including current players Charles Sagoe Jr, Remy Mitchell and others such as Omari Hutchinson, Charlie Patino and Brook Norton-Cuffy.

Quick, powerful and fiercely determined, his first season as a scholar was blighted by a serious hamstring injury, but he made up for it in his second, scoring four goals in 18 under-18 appearances and signed professional terms for the club at the end of that 2021/22 season.

Billy went on to appear for us in the PL2 and EFL Trophy and proved to be an asset across the forward positions and even deputised in defence – his versatility illustrating his commitment to the coaching staff and his team.

He enjoyed loan spells at Derby County and Eastbourne Borough and at the end of the 2023/24 season,  headed back to his native south coast, signing for Hastings United – prior to a move to Chichester just last month.

As well as his significant talent, Billy will always be remembered for his love of the game, pride at representing our football club – he once called the day he was spotted by our scouts as ’the most Important of his life’ – and a character beloved by teammates and coaches alike.

Our deepest condolences go out to the Vigar family and his many friends at this extremely difficult time.

A NON-LEAGUE football club is looking for a new shirt sponsor after being forced to RETRACT the deal it had with Bonnie Blue.

The controversial adult star Bonnie Blue had become the shirt sponsor for Calstock FC.

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The Cornwall-based side shared a kit which featured a “BB” logo that was funded by the 25-year-old.

The logo featured on a new blue away kit rather than the club’s established yellow and black home shirt.

However, the club has now revealed that they are prohibited from wearing the kit due to the FA‘s “interpretation of the regulations”.

A statement read: “Due to the FA’s interpretation of the regulations, we are retracting the kit bearing the BB logo.

“We did not do this to offend.

“We, as an adult club and collective, categorically do not advocate or support the oppression of women.”

The club was hit with criticism on social media but it appears that this has not factored into the decision.

The shirt also featured the phrase, “Up The Bonnie Blue Bees” printed along the back of the shirt.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help the club replace the banned shirt.

Blue, whose real name is Tia Emma Billinger, hails from Stapleford, Nottinghamshire.

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She rose to fame claiming to sleep with over 1,000 men in just 12 hours.

The infamous OnlyFans model was recently banned from Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.

She had tried to pull a viral stunt when she advertised an offer to “entertain” fans before the visit.

Speaking on the Only Stans podcast: “I thought when they asked me to go to the side, ‘maybe they’re upgrading my tickets, maybe they want to escort me to my seat, this is quite nice, it’s a good service’.

“They asked to see my tickets, I showed them and they took them off me, saying, ‘we’re escorting you off the premises’.

“Apparently, they don’t discriminate against sex workers, but I was banned because I was a sex worker. 

“I was going to encourage them (the players), give them a good time.

“I also think if I’m entertaining the supporters it’s less people drinking so I’m actually doing something good for their health.”

ANDREW CUSHIN was once playing Non-League football for Newcastle Benfield – now he’s sharing the studio with Noel Gallagher. 

The 24-year-old Geordie, who once wanted to be a PE teacher, has also now teamed up with Aston Martin and headlined a gig at the F1 team’s revamped £200million base. 

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Cushion has been championed by both Oasis star Gallagher and Pete Doherty, and has also played as the support act for One Direction’s Louis Thomlinson. 

His career cranked up another gear after teaming up with Lawrence Stroll’s Aston Martin to perform at the team’s Soundcheck Concert at their Silverstone HQ last week.

Ex-England manager Steve McLaren was in the crowd watching Cushin, who is a die-hard Newcastle fan. 

Cushin said: “I’m quite new to F1 but learning about the sport. I’ve never performed in front of an F1 car before so that was pretty cool. 

“It’s great to see Aston Martin Aramco getting behind music and showing support for artists. 

“I’ve always felt that music and sport belong together so I’m really proud to begin collaborating with a brand that values creativity and inclusivity. 

“Music always brings people together and these events will bring amazing energy to inspire the team and its fans.

“I’m a big Fernando Alonso fan now!”

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Cushin started out playing his songs around the pubs of Newcastle and within three weeks he had secured a manager with links to Gallagher. 

Cushin’s manager worked for British Airways in Heathrow and Oasis came through the terminal. 

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Gallagher’s guitar had gone missing on a flight which the manager found and sent first class to the Oasis singer.

The two stayed in touch ever since through text, and Cushin’s manager, who is also a friend from his coaching days, came to his second-ever gig.  

He took a video of Waiting For the Rain, a song that Cushin wrote, he sent it to Gallagher who got in touch and gave his seal of approval.

Cushin produced demos and sent them to Gallagher, who put him in touch with a record label – and the rest is history. 

Cushin said: “Noel was interested to do a song with me. We got the ball rolling with it. He is a top bloke, he has given me the opportunity to change my life which I’m forever grateful for. 

Gallagher produced, sang backing vocals and played guitar on Cushin’s 2020 track “Where’s My Family Gone”. 

Cushin added: “The best bit of advice Noel gave us was told us to graft,

 “He just said keep your head down, work hard and write, write, write.”

The Aston Martin F1 Team Technology Campus includes a brand new experience centre, complete with a stage which Cushin played on.

There is also a spin studio, running track, gym and restaurant at their revamped base.

It is a lot different to the muddy pitches which Cushin used to perform on for his goalkeeping days in youth Non League football.

He said: “Unfortunately I can’t play football anymore. It wasn’t an easy decision hanging the gloves up.

“My goalkeeping hero was Shay Given back when he was at the Toon. I had the pleasure of meeting him as a youngster once or twice, top bloke.”

Aston Martin are going to bring Cushin to perform on the F1 paddock next year for media, fans and guests.

His second album is due to be launched in spring next year and he also has tours planned for UK, USA and Europe throughout 2025.

A NON-LEAGUE star filled in as a commentator for the BBC after being left out of the FA Cup matchday squad.

And it went exactly as you would expect when his side scored a dramatic equaliser.

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Guiseley of the seventh-tier Northern Premier League Premier Division were handed a dream draw in the first round proper away at League One Stevenage.

However, Lucas Odunston was not in the starting XI or among the substitutes for Mark Bower at the Lamex Stadium.

So instead, the 24-year-old right-back headed up to the gantry and picked up the microphone for BBC Sport.

And that prompted utterly wild scenes when the Lions found the net to make it 1-1 with just seven minutes to go on Saturday.

Following a mix-up between the Stevenage defender and goalkeeper, the ball fell perfectly for Will Longbottom.

And he made absolutely no mistake as he tapped into the empty net.

That sparked chaos in the away end – and on the gantry.

Because Odunston simply could not contain his excitement and joy.

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He could be heard over the main commentator shouting: “Oh my God,” as the ball fell kindly for Longbottom.

Then after some brilliant inaudible commentary, Odunston added: “Yeahhhh!!” before some more crazy indiscernible screaming.

Odunston then regained an ounce of composure to bellow: “Get in there!

“Oh my God.

“Ohhhh, ohhhhh. Can I go on the pitch, can I go on the pitch?”

The commentator then replied: “If you want to go my friend, you go.

“Look at the scenes here at the Lamex Stadium.

“This competition is magic because it produces moments like this.”

The clip got shared on X by BBC Sport and went viral – with dozens of fans loving the wonderful reactions from a jubilant Odunston.

Why FA Cup changes are GOOD NEWS

By Martin Lipton

THE FA and Premier League should have done the deal to scrap FA Cup replays years ago.

No doubt traditionalists will moan but it is right that the competition has finally been brought into the 21st century.

Ending replays will bring extra sharpness and excitement to the ties, with the knowledge that there will be a winner, whether in 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties.

If big guns have a bad day, they are more likely to pay the price. Replays after draws give them a fall-back they do not deserve.

Giving the FA Cup total and absolute priority over four weekends – and ensuring there is no competing match on the day of the Final – will enhance the profile of a competition that was in danger of falling out of the spotlight.

And as long as the FA ensures a better split of the prize money fund, weighting it more towards the earlier rounds, and potentially a similar move with  TV match money, there should be few losers.

Read more on the FA Cup.

One said: “This is the kind of energy we need on commentary! Lucas is living his best life!

“When life gives you lemons, you become a commentator! Lucas is bringing the vibes!”

Another wrote: “Classic commentary gold!”

A third added: “That’s a classic! Love seeing players getting involved even off the pitch! Lucas is bringing the energy!”

And a final user replied: “Magic of the FA Cup.”

However, despite the special scenes following the equaliser, the day did end in bittersweet fashion.

That is because Guiseley did manage a draw at Stevenage.

But with replays scrapped, it went to extra-time and then penalties, where the third-tier Boro nicked it 5-4 in the shootout to book their spot in the second-round draw.

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