Lawyers have teamed up with Brockenhurst Football Club to help it achieve its goals on and off the pitch.

Regional law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors – with offices in Ringwood town centre – has sponsored the New Forest team for the first time.

And it has thrown its support behind one of its own people – legal placement Tomas Baker – to cover his playing costs with New Milton Town FC’s Development Team for the season.

Ellis Jones, with more than 170 staff including 21 partners, has a well-established sports law department and is a longstanding supporter of local teams.

Nigel Smith, Ellis Jones’ managing partner, said: “Brockenhurst is a brilliant example of a football club at the heart of its community.

“We’re proud to offer our support and I hope it can help the club grow behind the scenes and achieve success on the pitch too.

“We didn’t hesitate to assist Tomas either as part of our ethos of encouraging our people in and outside of the office.”

Partner David McWilliam, head of sports law, added: “We see ourselves as the twelfth man supporting our local sports people and clubs both through sponsorship and our extensive sports law services.”

Brockenhurst, who play at the Meadens Skoda Arena in Grigg Lane, are in the Premier Division of the Wessex Football League.

Chairman Chris Panayi said: “Many thanks to Ellis Jones for its much valued support.

“We’ve had a good start to the season and hope to make the firm proud to be associated with our club.”

Ellis Jones’ sports law team advise on a range of issues such as contracts, intermediary/agent regulations, image rights, brand protection, sponsorship, event management, discrimination, disciplinary, anti-doping and employment issues.

David McWilliam is as an independent Disciplinary Panel member and Non-Executive Director of the Dorset County Football Association (FA). 

He is also a member of the FA’s National Serious Case Panel, dealing with cases from across the country, a member of the FA General Appeals panel, a member of the British Association for Sport & Law, and chairman of Christchurch Seagulls Swimming Club.

Ellis Jones also sponsors Swanage Cricket Club, Came Down Golf Club, Wimborne’s cricket and football clubs and Bournemouth-based Oakmeadians Rugby Club. It is the trusted legal advisor for Pure Golf Management. 

New Milton Town play at the DMW Glazing Stadium at Fawcetts Field. Its Development Team are in the Hampshire Combination & Development League West Division, while its senior team are in the First Division of the Wessex Football League. 

Ellis Jones’ Ringwood office is at Monmouth Court, off Southampton Road in the town centre.

www.ellisjones.co.uk