Leyton Orient among clubs to mourn Chris Bart-Williams

The ex-England Under-21 international died in the USA, where he had been working as a coach and mentor.

A statement on Orient’s Twitter page said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of former Leyton Orient player, Chris Bart-Williams.

“Our thoughts are with all of those who knew Chris at this incredibly difficult time.”

Sierra Leone-born Bart-Williams began his career as a trainee at O’s and scored on his first-team debut against Tranmere at the age of 16, making 42 appearances in all competitions.

He went on to make more than 150 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday, for whom he played in the Premier League as a teenager, before earning a £2.5million move to Nottingham Forest in July 1995.

He played 248 games for Forest and later had spells with Charlton and Ipswich before moving into coaching in the United States following his retirement as a player, initially working in women’s college football.

News of his passing came on the same day as the death of former Wednesday and Forest striker Trevor Francis, who died aged 69.

“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,” said a club statement from Wednesday.

“Our thoughts are with Chris’ and Trevor’s families and friends at this devastating time.”

Describing himself on his social media accounts as “coach, college recruiter, former footballer”, Bart-Williams was owner and chief executive officer of US College Soccer recruiting agency CBW Soccer Elite, working with college-bound players.

His LinkedIn profile reads: “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.

“My goal is to empower kids to have the confidence and technical ability to excel in soccer while learning valuable lessons in responsibility and teamwork that will prepare them for a lifetime of success. 

“Everything I do is designed to maximize athletes’ unique potential and propel them to their personal best in soccer and in life.”

In February last year, Florida-based Dade County announced Bart-Williams had been appointed as its head coach to oversee all its football programmes.

News of his death was greeted with shock by former Forest goalkeeper and team-mate Mark Crossley.

“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,” he said on social media.

Ipswich also offered their condolences, posting: “The club is saddened to learn of the passing of former player Chris Bart-Williams. Once a Blue, always a Blue.”