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Friend of ex-Arsenal star Billy Vigar backs our campaign after footballer's tragic death

Jack Mison called for action to stop any further deaths like his good pal Billy's, as he throws his support behind Daily Star Sunday's 'Balls to Walls' campaign

[Billy Vigar]

Billy's death has left many including Daily Star Sunday to call for walls next to pitches to be taken down(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

A friend of tragic Billy Vigar says he started a petition to see walls taken down from around football pitches because a tragic accident that killed his pal never happen again. It comes after the former Arsenal star died after colliding with a wall during a match earlier this year.

Jack Mison said he felt he needed to do something following the death of his pal and now has teamed up with the Daily Star Sunday to try and make a difference. The 21-year-old said: Billy was a top man and everyone loved him.

We met through friends of friends and would go out and he would always pop in where I worked to grab a protein bar before kick off," he said of the up-and-coming football star. "Its the stupid little things that you miss like this.

[Billy Vigar]

Billy Vigar died at the age of 21 when he collided with a wall during a football match earlier this year(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"I dont see him anymore on game days," Jack sobbed. "It makes you remember hes not here.

The loss has hit everyone hard. Its just awful and everyone is understandably struggling to come to terms with it still now.

Billy died after sustaining a significant brain injury during Chichesters Isthmian Premier League fixture at Wingate & Finchley on September 20 at the age of just 21.

[Billy Vigar]

Billy's pal Jack Mison has now calling for more action to get rid of walls on football pitches(Image: Getty Images)

The official cause of death is yet to be confirmed via an inquest, but it is expected that it will be attributed to a collision between Vigar and a concrete perimeter barrier which surrounded the Wingate & Finchley pitch. In the aftermath of the players death, the FA announced it would conduct an immediate review that will focus on the safety of perimeter walls and boundaries around pitches in the National League System from the fifth to the 10th tier.

Jack continued: We were supposed to be at the game but it was called off when people realised very quickly that it was serious. It was avoidable, thats the sad thing.

We have had warnings before with similar incidents, if action had been taken before, Billy might still be here. Theres money in football.

[Billy Vigar]

Tributes continue to laid for Billy as a petition calling for Vigar's law reaches 17,000 figures(Image: Offside via Getty Images)

"I just hope that the FA do something, take notice of our petition, and make serious changes. Not only that, but help to finance it it cant happen again.

Meanwhile, Jack's petition has already managed to bring in just under 17,000 signatures calling for Vigar's Law to be brought in. In the call for action, Jack said Billy's death could have been prevented and that footballers do not know how close they are to death due to one small trip.

"Th death of Billy Vigar is a stark reminder that these walls are not merely unsafe they are lethal," he said. "Others have suffered broken limbs, spinal injuries and head trauma; each injury was predictable and entirely preventable."

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