Chris Bart-Williams: Former midfielder dies aged 49

Chris Bart-Williams made 245 appearances for Nottingham Forest successful each competitions

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest midfielder Chris Bart-Williams has died aged 49.

The nine added: " We are profoundly saddened astatine the passing of our erstwhile subordinate Chris Bart-Williams."

Bart-Williams started his vocation astatine Leyton Orient and scored connected his afloat debut for the nine successful a 4-0 triumph against Tranmere Rovers arsenic a 16-year-old.

He joined the Owls successful 1991 and made much than 100 appearances for the club.

Bart-Williams moved to Forest successful 1995 and made much than 200 outings for the City crushed broadside earlier stints astatine Charlton and Ipswich Town.

His decease comes connected the aforesaid time arsenic that of Trevor Francis, who Forest made Britain's archetypal £1m footballer erstwhile they signed him from Birmingham City successful 1979.

Francis besides managed Bart-Williams erstwhile helium was successful complaint of Sheffield Wednesday and brought him connected arsenic a substitute successful the 1993 FA Cup final, which saw the Owls beaten by Arsenal pursuing a replay.

"Bart-Williams' untimely passing mirrors that of his manager astatine Hillsborough, Trevor Francis, who besides died connected this, 1 of the darkest days successful our agelong history," added Sheffield Wednesday successful a statement.

Former Sheffield Wednesday striker Mark Bright described Bart-Williams arsenic "a wonderfully talented player, with a immense personality, and a precise charismatic guy".

He added: "To cognize him was to emotion him, sending emotion to his family, friends and erstwhile team-mates."

Former Sheffield Wednesday keeper Kevin Pressman said: "Devastating day, to perceive the quality of Trevor Francis passing and my erstwhile team-mate Chris Bart Williams, some taken truthful soon, RIP Trevor and Chris."

At Forest, Bart-Williams helped the nine triumph the aged First Division rubric successful 1997-98 to execute promotion to the Premier League.

Former Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley posted connected Twitter: "I'm truthful upset to perceive the quality of Trevor Francis passing and my erstwhile squad mate Chris Bart Williams, some truthful young, it is truthful bittersweet , RIP Trevor and Chris."

Ex-England striker Darren Bent, who played with Bart-Williams astatine Charlton, said: "RIP My erstwhile squad mate Chris Bart-Williams, thoughts and prayers spell retired to his household and friends."

Former Coventry and Liverpool striker David Speedie tweeted: "Just erstwhile I thought the time couldn't get immoderate worse, I've heard the devastating quality Chris Bart-Williams has passed away. My thoughts spell retired to the household and friends of Chris astatine this hard time. RIP Chris."