Former Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Chris Bart-Williams has died at the age of 49. Sheffield Wednesday confirmed that the player died in the United States where he was working as a coach and mentor.
His death comes on the same day as that of Trevor Francis, who Forest made Britain’s first £1m footballer when they signed him from Birmingham City in 1979.
A statement from Sheffield Wednesday confirmed the news saying:”Bart-Williams’ untimely passing mirrors that of his manager at Hillsborough, Trevor Francis, who also died on this, one of the darkest days in our long history”. They added: “Our thoughts are with Chris’ and Trevor’s families and friends at this devastating time.”
After making his senior breakthrough with Leyton Orient, Bart-Williams joined Sheffield Wednesday for a then club-record fee of £275k in 1991.He made 156 appearances for the Owls, scoring 24 goals before joining Nottingham Forest for £2.5million in 1995.
Bart-Williams spent six and a half years at the City Ground, making 245 appearances and scoring 35 times, before spending time with Charlton, Ipswich, , APOEL and Maltese side Marsaxlokk.More recently, he has worked as a coach and mentor to young football players in America.this devastating time.”
Former Sheffield Wednesday keeper Kevin Pressman said: “Devastating day, to hear the news of Trevor Francis passing and my former team-mate Chris Bart Williams, both taken so soon, RIP Trevor and Chris.”
One Forest fan shared his memory of seeing the midfielder by saying: ‘As a young season ticket holder when forest were at they’re worst, this man was head and shoulders best player on the park week in week out. Natural leader talent!’
Another supporter also remembered his time at Forest fondly by tweeting ‘Chris Bart-Williams, one of my favourite players growing up! 49 years old is far too young.’
It was opinion share by those in Sheffield, too, with a Owls fan paying tribute by stating: ‘Today words fail me. One of the most gifted footballers I’ve ever seen play for Wednesday.’
Bart-Williams’ former club Ipswich posted on their official feed with the message, ‘The Club is saddened to learn of the passing of former player Chris Bart-Williams. Once a Blue, always a Blue.’
By Abigael Chemok