Fisher Jones Greenwood (FJG) has stepped onto the pitch to help bring the new Peter Shilton charity to life, supporting England football legend Peter Shilton CBE and his wife Steph.
The firm is the principal sponsor for the launch of Shiltons’ Silverlining and will be providing £10,000 worth of pro bono legal work to the charity, as it builds its pioneering model of long-term support for individuals and families affected by gambling harm.
The story behind the Peter Shilton charity
Mr Shilton is widely regarded as one of England’s greatest goalkeepers, earning 125 international caps across a distinguished career spanning more than three decades. He played for Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County and Plymouth Argyle, winning league titles and back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, as well as representing England at three World Cups.
Behind that success, however, was a 45-year gambling addiction that ran alongside his playing career and beyond, impacting his personal life and finances. He has spoken openly about his experiences, crediting his wife for helping him overcome his addiction and encouraging him to share his story to support others.
Supporting the charity’s future development
FJG’s Corporate and Commercial team is advising on a range of legal matters critical to the charity’s development, including employment contracts, governance frameworks and intellectual property protection, as Shiltons’ Silverlining develops its own world-leading support programmes and proprietary models of care.
Ashton Carter, Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial at FJG, who has worked with the Shiltons for many years, says their determination to turn their experience into something positive is genuinely inspiring.
“We’re proud to support them at such a pivotal stage. Our role is to ensure the charity is built on strong legal foundations – from governance and employment through to protecting the intellectual property behind their innovative support model – so it can grow with confidence and deliver long-term impact.
“Our legal support will help establish a sustainable organisation with the right structures in place to scale, attract funding and deliver measurable outcomes for the people it supports.”
Supporting communities across the East of England
Fisher Jones Greenwood has offices in Colchester, Chelmsford, Billericay, Braintree, Clacton-on-Sea and Sudbury, and has a strong track record of advising charities and not-for-profit organisations, as well as working closely with local community initiatives across the East of England.
Doug Field, Managing Partner at FJG, added: “Shiltons’ Silverlining is addressing an issue that affects thousands of families, often in silence. Peter and Steph are bringing that conversation into the open and, importantly, creating a solution.
“We’re delighted to support them, both as a sponsor of the launch and as a long-term legal partner. This reflects our wider commitment to responsible business, social value and supporting initiatives that make a meaningful difference in our communities.”
Long-term support for individuals and families
The charity’s approach goes beyond traditional short-term interventions, offering ongoing support and lifelong membership through their Shiltons’ Squad programme, recognising that gambling addicts and their families often need continued guidance.
Mr Shilton, Chairman of the charity, said: “Shiltons’ Silverlining means everything to us. It comes from our own real understanding of what people go through – not just the individual, but the whole family.
To have the backing of an organisation like Fisher Jones Greenwood at this early stage gives us real confidence. Their support is helping us build something that we hope will stand the test of time and help people for generations.”
Steph Shilton, CEO of the charity, added: “We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from Fisher Jones Greenwood. Setting up a charity of this scale requires strong foundations, and their expertise has been invaluable in helping us get this right from the outset.
“We’re building a new model of care, and that means protecting our programmes and ensuring everything is structured properly, so having a trusted legal partner alongside us makes a huge difference.”
Supporting people, communities and responsible business
At Fisher Jones Greenwood, supporting charities, community initiatives and organisations making a meaningful difference forms part of our wider commitment to responsible business and social value. Alongside providing expert legal advice to individuals and businesses across the East of England, FJG continues to support projects that positively impact local communities, vulnerable groups and future generations.
For business owners or charities, our Corporate & Commercial team is here to help. Contact us via our online enquiry form or call us on 08455 435 700.