The tragic news came only a day after the club was dealing with the passing of Trevor Francis.
Chris Bart-Williams, a former Nottingham Forest midfielder, died at the age of 49.
Forest were still coming to grips with the death of former striker Trevor Francis, who died at the age of 69.
Bart-Williams, like Francis, had worn the jerseys of both Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday, and it was the Owls that delivered the tragic news of his death.
“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,” the club stated in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with Chris’ and Trevor’s families and friends at this devastating time.”
Sierra Leone-born Bart-Williams began his career as a trainee at Leyton Orient and played in the Premier League as a youngster for Wednesday before winning a £2.5 million move to the City Ground in July 1995.
He played 248 games for Forest before going on to Charlton and Ipswich before retiring and entering into coaching in the United States, primarily in women’s college football.
Bart-Williams, who described himself as a “coach, college recruiter, and former footballer” on social media, was the owner and CEO of US College Soccer recruiting organisation CBW Soccer Elite, which worked with college-bound youngsters.
“As a retired athlete with 35 years of international playing and coaching experience, I’m passionate about developing young adults into highly successful soccer players,” he says on LinkedIn.
“My mission is to instill in children the confidence and technical ability to excel in football while also teaching them valuable lessons in responsibility and teamwork that will prepare them for a lifetime of success.” Everything I do is geared on maximising athletes’ individual potential and propelling them to their own best in football and in life.”
Dade County, Florida-based Dade County announced in February last year that Bart-Williams had been named head coach to handle all football activities.
Former teammate Mark Crossley was shocked to learn of his demise.
The custodian, who played with Bart-Williams at Forest, said on Twitter: “Devastating and I’m so upset to hear the news of Trevor Francis passing and my former team mate Chris Bart Williams, both so young, it is so sad, RIP Trevor and Chris.”
“The club is saddened to learn of the passing of former player Chris Bart-Williams,” Ipswich said in a statement. “A Blue is a Blue forever.”
