The deaths - so soon between each other - of two great stalwarts of Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday sent studders of sadness and disbelief around the East Midlands and South Yorkshire - and far beyond.
Former player, then player/manager Trevor Francis passed away after suffering a heart attack – at the age of 69. Only hours later, fellow ex-Forest and Wednesday player, Chris Bart-Williams also passed away. He was just 49.
Former Birmingham City, Sampdoria, Manchester City and Glasgow Rangers player, Francis also managed Bart-Williams when he was in charge of Wednesday and brought him on as a substitute in the 1993 FA Cup final, which saw the Owls beaten by Arsenal following a replay. A former Charlton Athletic, Ipswich Town, APOEL (Cyprus) and Marsaxlokk (Malta) player, Chris and Trevor both also played for Nottingham Forest.
Francis, who was born in Plymouth, was a colt hero to the Blues fans before moved to Nottingham Forest, in 1979, to became Britain's first £1m footballer. The then Forest boss, the inimitably uniquely ‘one-off’ Brian Clough, though, always insisted that he wasn’t the first – he said that he bought Francis for £999,999. The England international won 2 European Cups with Forest - in 1979, when he scored the winner against Malmo, and 1980.
For Bart-Williams, he made 156 appearances for Wednesday, scoring 24 goals before joining Nottingham Forest for £2.5million in 1995. At the City Ground, the Sierra Leone-born forward spent six and a half years there, making 245 appearances and scoring 35 times.
More recently, he has worked as a coach, college recruiter, and mentor to young football players in the United States. He was owner and chief executive officer of US College Soccer recruiting agency CBW Soccer Elite, working with college-bound players.
A statement from Sheffield Wednesday said: “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. Our thoughts are with Chris’ and Trevor’s families and friends at this devastating time.”
On social media Forest wrote @NFFC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of two-time European Cup winner, Trevor Francis. A true Forest legend who will never be forgotten.
Whilst they further wrote @NFFC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Chris Bart-Williams. Our thoughts go out to Chris’ family and friends at this truly difficult time.
