A Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest legend was created after superb Hillsborough audition | OneFootball

From teenage prodigy to fan favourite - how Chris Bart-Williams left his mark on two great clubs

Chris Bart-Williams’ journey to becoming a beloved figure at both Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest began with a single, unforgettable performance - a night at Hillsborough that would change the course of his career.

In 1991, a 17-year-old Bart-Williams, arrived in Sheffield as part of a Leyton Orient side attempting to upset their top-flight opponents in the League Cup.

It was a mismatch both on paper and in practice - Wednesday running out 4-1 winners reflected the gulf in quality between the teams. Yet, for those watching, the real story of the evening was the young midfielder in the away side’s ranks.

Amid the experience and physicality of the opposition, Bart-Williams stood out. He played with a composure that belied his years, his movement and decision-making suggesting a player destined for far greater challenges.

Trevor Francis, then Sheffield Wednesday’s manager, saw it immediately.

Within a year, Bart-Williams was back at Hillsborough - this time in blue and white, signed for £275,000. It would be the first step in a career that left an indelible mark on two great English clubs.

A star emerges at Leyton Orient, and shines at Sheffield Wednesday

Bart-Williams had already made 40 senior appearances for Orient by the time he arrived in Sheffield. That level of experience at such a young age was rare, and it showed.

He adapted quickly to the demands of First Division football, slotting into a Wednesday side brimming with quality and confidence. His debut season, 1991-92, ended with the club finishing third in the newly renamed Premier League - an achievement that remains one of their finest in the modern era.

It was during the following campaign, however, that he truly came of age. With Wednesday mounting an ambitious charge in both domestic cup competitions, Bart-Williams played an integral role in their journey to the FA Cup and League Cup finals.

Though the club ultimately fell short in both, it was a formative experience for the young midfielder. By the time he struck a hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over Southampton in April 1993, his reputation as one of England’s most promising young players was firmly established.

Bart-Williams was, in many ways, the archetype of the modern midfielder before the term had properly entered the footballing lexicon. He was tactically astute, comfortable operating in a deep-lying role or further forward, and had a calmness in possession that set him apart.

But despite his growing stature, his time at Hillsborough would end sooner than many expected.

By 1995, contract talks had stalled, and Nottingham Forest moved quickly to secure his signature for £2.5 million.

For Bart-Williams, the decision had been made for him. “Leaving Sheffield Wednesday had nothing to do with me being ready to move on,” he later reflected. “I felt like an afterthought when it came to contracts. The fans always appreciated me, but I didn’t feel the same from the club.”

Finding a home at Nottingham Forest

At the City Ground, Bart-Williams matured into a complete footballer. Initially deployed in a variety of positions, he would go on to become the heartbeat of the Forest midfield, balancing technical elegance with defensive resilience.

He played a crucial role in the club’s promotion-winning 1997-98 season, guiding them back to the Premier League as champions.

His versatility became his greatest strength, though it also made him difficult to categorise. Too intelligent and defensively disciplined to be a pure attacking midfielder, yet too technically refined to be confined to a deep-lying role, he was often asked to fill whatever void the team required.

At times, he even operated as an auxiliary striker. His influence stretched far beyond the pitch - he was a leader in the dressing room, a player whose presence commanded respect.

“If you were off your game, he’d tell you straight,” recalled Craig Armstrong, one of his Forest teammates. “He wasn’t a soft touch, but he was kind. One of the nicest guys you’d ever meet.”

By the time he left Forest in 2002, Bart-Williams had amassed 238 appearances for the club. He had become a player both respected and relied upon - an individual whose quality was so deeply woven into the fabric of the team that his contribution was sometimes underappreciated.

Chris Bart-Williams’ lasting legacy

When his playing days came to an end, Bart-Williams turned his attention to nurturing the next generation. Settling in the U.S., he dedicated himself to coaching, establishing the CBW Soccer Elite programme to help young players develop their skills and understanding of the game.

Just as he had been guided as a teenager, he sought to pass on the lessons he had learned to others.

When he returned to Nottingham in 2022, it was clear the affection in which he was held had not waned. The warm reception, the recognition - these were not just gestures of nostalgia but genuine appreciation for a player whose contribution had endured.

His sudden passing in 2023, on the same day as Trevor Francis, was an almost poetic coincidence.

Francis had been the first to recognise Bart-Williams’ talent, plucking him from the lower leagues and giving him the stage he needed to shine. In return, Bart-Williams had repaid that faith with a career defined by intelligence, integrity, and quiet brilliance.

He may not have always been the most celebrated name, but for those who watched him - who played alongside him, who followed his career - his impact was unmistakable.