Former Town midfielder Chris Bart-Williams has died, aged 49.

Bart-Williams joined the Blues on loan from Charlton in September 2003 at around the same time as Shefki Kuqi and Alan Mahon also came in on loan. All three made a strong initial impression and in the December Bart-WIlliams signed a deal to the end of the season.

Overall, the Freetown, Sierra Leone-born midfielder made 24 starts and four sub appearances, scoring two goals.

Having left the Blues, Bart-Williams spent time on trial at Leeds and was linked with a return to former club Nottingham Forest, but eventually joined Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus.

The following summer he moved on to Maltese team Marsaxlokk but played only eight games and departed after only two months.

Prior to his time at Town, Bart-Williams had broken into the first team at Leyton Orient aged only 16 and in 1991 made a £275,000 move to Sheffield Wednesday.

Having appeared as a sub in both the FA Cup final and replay in 1993, in which the Owls were beaten by Arsenal, Bart-Williams moved on to Nottingham Forest for a fee of £2.5 million in 1995.

Bart-Williams, who won England caps at U19, U21 and B levels, spent seven years with Forest before joining the Addicks, initially on loan, in December 2001.

After hanging up his boots, he moved to the US where he coached Women’s Premier Soccer League side the Boston Breakers, then at SoccerPlus Connecticut.

He moved on to the Quinnipiac University, where he coached their men’s side, before starting his own CBW Soccer Elite alongside wife Eva, which placed student athletes in college programmes, while also working as a consultant at Charlotte Soccer Academy’s US Soccer Development and as head of Gulliver Schools’ boys programme in Miami.

Photo: Action Images

dirtydingusmagee added 22:35 - Jul 24 very sad news, RIP CBW ''BART''
6

philwhelansdegree added 22:40 - Jul 24 Very sad news, I remember his time at Ipswich well. Wasn't his manager at Wednesday Trevor Francis who also sadly passed today?
2

MickMillsTash added 22:52 - Jul 24 Looks like he had a really interesting career after playing 49- shocking News I think I must have been pretty pleased when he signed- can't remember much about his performances- if that matters now. RIP BART
4

Gforce added 23:03 - Jul 24 So sad and such a young age. As it says above, Once a blue,always a blue. RIP Chris.
3

Ipswich1977 added 23:10 - Jul 24 Shocking. The Bartman also had a game or two as team captain if i recall.
1

superblues9 added 23:36 - Jul 24 Was not expecting that 49 so sad these ex sportsmen passing so young top player him kuqi and Mahon so nearly took us to the premiership !
3

blueboy1981 added 23:51 - Jul 24 R.I.P CBW. A Very Good Player in his time, who had so much more to give to the Game, and Young Players. ⚽️ Always Remembered as a BLUE !
3

Pendejo added 06:47 - Jul 25 Shocking A former colleague used to watch him at Orient long before his stint at PR, so I'd heard tales of Bartman before his seasons with Wednesday and Forest. RIP Bartman
0

Stu_boy added 07:37 - Jul 25 Really sad news, absolutely no age RIP CBW
1

Dissboyitfc added 07:39 - Jul 25 very sad news, puts so many things into perspective! R.I.P Chris
1

itfchorry added 08:31 - Jul 25 Terrible news - Thoughts with his Family and Friends -
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ArnieM added 08:34 - Jul 25 RIP “ Bart” and condolences to all his family
1

TimmyH added 09:44 - Jul 25 Only 49, shocking!...RIP Chris.
1

Paddy39 added 10:00 - Jul 25 So sad and a young age. As it says above, Once a blue,always a blue. RIP Bart.
1

chepstowblue added 10:14 - Jul 25 Desperately sad news. He performed very well for us during a period when we were all still sore after the relegation the year before. A classy player, with the stand out display being at Cardiff in 2003. RIP young man.
1

John_Grose added 10:39 - Jul 25 Very sad news. I remember he appeared in a BBC football documentary whilst at Town (a long with Sheepshanks and Fabian Wilnis), and was living in Hintlesham Hall at the time which was quite funny.
0

OldClactonBlue added 10:51 - Jul 25 RIP Bart
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OldClactonBlue added 10:51 - Jul 25 RIP Bart
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Ryorry added 10:53 - Jul 25 Awful news. Condolences to his family and friends. R.I.P. Bart
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dubblue added 11:01 - Jul 25 Very sad news, so young! Indeed Chris, Alan and of course Shefki did make a big impact that season. RIP Chris.
1

Ebantiass added 15:02 - Jul 25 Sad news indeed, and 49 is far too young. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
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AYACCA added 17:06 - Jul 25 A real character for us. Helped steady the ship in his time at town. Sad news
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troyparrotsleftear added 09:05 - Jul 26 remember him well. 49 is too young. looks like he made the most of his short years, very interesting career ended too soon. . RIP
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troyparrotsleftear added 09:05 - Jul 26 remember him well. 49 is too young. looks like he made the most of his short years, very interesting career ended too soon. . RIP
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