Chris Bart-Williams obituary – Christopher Gerald Bart-Williams, an English football coach and former professional player has died. Bart-Williams most notably played as a defender and midfielder in the Premier League for Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest, and Charlton Athletic.
Born on 16 June 1974 in Free Town, Sierra Leone, Bart-Williams grew up in North London and attended The School of St. David’s and St Katharine’s in Hornsey.
He began his professional career at the age of 16 with Leyton Orient. He made 36 league appearances at Orient and netted twice.
In 1991, he was purchased for £275,000 by Sheffield Wednesday. Bart-Williams stayed at Sheffield Wednesday for 4 years and was immense as the club reached the Football League Cup semi-finals in the 1993–94 season. He also appeared in their short-lived UEFA Cup campaign (the club’s first European run since the 1960s) the previous season.
In 1995, Bart-Williams transferred to Nottingham Forest for the sum of £2.5 million.
Despite playing as a defensive midfielder, he found the back of the net 35 times. Interestingly, he was the club’s top scorer in the 2000–2001 season. He was very clinical with free kicks and penalties.
In December 2001, Bart-Williams left Forest, signing for Charlton Athletic, initially on a short-term contract.
He also played for Ipswich Town, APOEL, and Marsaxlokk.
After retiring in 2006 he moved to the United States and helped coach their successful women’s national team.
Bart-Williams was reportedly married to Eva. They did not have children.
Bart-Williams died on 24 July 2023, at the age of 49.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7u7PRZ6WerF%2Bau3DDyKSgaJuYp7a0ecGaqa1lp565rbXApqpmp5Kewbat0bJm