Matthew Ashforth

Matthew Ashforth is Head of Legal Services at Everton Football Club. Prior to this, Matthew had worked at international law firms and as an in-house Legal Advisor in Dubai. 
​
1. When did you first gain an interest in the sports sector?

Sport has been significant in my life outside of work since I can remember. Swimming, golf, and skiing are all hobbies of mine, but football has always been the main one. As a result, I’ve always had an interest in sports law, but my career certainly took a different direction initially, as I specialised in construction law. The opportunity then to join Everton and combine football with work was impossible to turn down.  

2. How did you find the transition from private practice to your first in-house role? 

I found it quite straightforward. I always had a view that in house was going to be a better fit for me than private practice, it was just finding the right opportunity. My first in-house role was with a major state-owned company in Dubai, which deals in real estate developments, construction, hotels, investments and media/leisure. I was able to continue working in construction, so I felt comfortable with that, and gradually added other work to broaden my base. This allowed me to understand how being an in-house lawyer is very much about being trusted by the company and seen as an advisor, not an obstacle. 

3. How does working at a football club differ to working in-house elsewhere?

Football clubs are unique. First, they are institutions, with a tremendous amount of history behind them, and they mean far more to a town or city than any large company normally would. This brings a huge number of positives, but it also brings an intense focus from fans and media, and it can be challenging to work in a business which is under such close public scrutiny. Second, the main reason that the infrastructure of a football club exists is to enable the Club’s football teams to achieve the best possible results on pitch. Clearly, that is very different end goal to working for a more regular company, which is geared to generate as much profit as possible. 

4. What are some of the rewards and challenges of working in the sports industry?

It can be very exciting, especially to be involved in football operations, or in high-value and potentially transformative commercial partnerships for the Club. We are also in the midst of the new Everton Stadium build, which is without doubt the largest project in the Club’s history and will have an enormous lasting effect, so to play a part in that is very rewarding. In terms of challenges, it can undoubtedly be stressful – the high profile of much of what we work on means it is often fast moving and pressured. But it is difficult to find a job which is both exciting and stress free!! 

5. What are some key legal developments in football at the moment?

A lot of focus is around the implementation of the National Football Agent Regulations, which is currently being challenged under an arbitration brought by several high-profile agencies. The FIFA regulations have also been challenged in other European countries, so it will be very interesting to see how they are implemented, on both a national and international basis. Beyond that, the implementation of the Government’s White Paper in respect of a new football regulator is undoubtedly the biggest potential change to English football since the inception of the Premier League, and is something that all clubs are carefully watching. 

6. What is the biggest challenge that you have faced in your career?

The transition from working in a state-owned company in Dubai to a Premier League football club was certainly an unusual and challenging one. To go from an organisation with effectively zero media scrutiny to one which is constantly in the spotlight required a mindset change. However, once you get stuck into the work you realise that on a day-to-day basis there are many similarities in the sorts of tasks that fall into your inbox. 

7. What is your proudest professional achievement to date?

A few years ago, when I was in private practice, I acted on a matter which ended up being an important reported case in relation to freezing injunctions, which I am proud about in hindsight, although at the time it was part of a wider case and didn’t seem as important. I am also always proud to work with Everton’s charity, Everton in the Community, as the work that it does is genuinely critical to improving people’s lives in the area around Goodison Park. Much of the support we provide EitC with allows them to be more efficient, and direct their funds towards the causes where it is most needed.  

8. What advice would you give to aspiring sports lawyers?

I would say do not pigeon-hole yourself as a ‘sports’ lawyer. Sports lawyers are really just lawyers who happen to work in sport, and there are many varied routes towards finding a role in the sports industry. Accruing a wide range of experience is the most critical point, and trying to seek out opportunities through personal contacts and general industry knowledge are also key. 

9. Please can you describe a typical day in your life?

It’s very hard to do so, as life at a football club is extremely varied. Most of the time there will always be some general commercial contracts to review and discuss with internal clients, normally the partnerships team or the procurement team. We have some long-standing projects related to the new stadium (for example, the appointment of major suppliers) which need frequent attention as well. Outside of that, typically we often deal with Intellectual Property infringements, employment issues, contract reviews for Everton in the Community, and regulatory matters (including FA complaints or Premier League referrals). During the transfer windows, we turn a lot of attention to player trading as well.