CHANTELLE THOMPSON X FORSHAW GROUP JOIN PHOENIX FC UAE TO HONOUR THE LEGACY OF JOE THOMPSON
Chantelle Thompson, wife of the late professional footballer and inspirational figure Joe Thompson, has officially joined Phoenix FC as a director in the United Arab Emirates. This marks a new chapter in carrying forward Joe’s vision for football, youth empowerment, and charitable impact.
Joe, who overcame cancer twice during his playing career and became a powerful voice for resilience and hope, was involved in the early seeding set-up of Phoenix FC. Now, Chantelle steps into an active role with the club to ensure his influence and passion live on both on and off the pitch.
Phoenix FC is co-founded by brothers Bader and Amer Al Akkad with whom Joe partnered to launch Goals for Cure, an initiative raising funds and awareness for cancer causes along with Rob Smethurst (owner of Macclesfield FC), former Premier League champion Danny Simpson, and Lisa & Lyndon Forshaw of the Forshaw Group, close family friends of Joe & Chantelle.
In addition to her role at Phoenix FC, Chantelle will integrate the “I Am Joe Thompson Foundation” into the club’s community and educational programmes. This partnership will expand opportunities for young athletes in the UAE and internationally, focusing on football excellence, academic education, and holistic wellbeing.
The club’s name, Phoenix, holds profound significance for Chantelle and her family. It is also the name of their late baby boy, Dre Phoenix, who they lost in 2021. The phoenix, a universal symbol of renewal and rising from the ashes, mirrors the spirit of both Joe’s life and Chantelle’s journey, overcoming hardship to create something meaningful that inspires others.
“Phoenix FC represents everything Joe believed in and lived his life by creating opportunities for the youth, empowering, and giving back,” said Chantelle Thompson. “It’s an honour to be part of a project he helped lay the foundations for, and to weave the work of the I Am Joe Thompson Foundation into the fabric of what we do here, along with exciting projects we have planned in the UK.”
Lisa & Lyndon Forshaw of the Forshaw Group added:
“We are deeply honoured to join the Phoenix family in Dubai, investing in a vision that keeps the legacy of our beloved Joe Thompson alive. At Forshaw Group, we stand for building strong foundations, just as Bader & Amer have done with Phoenix. This partnership is rooted in the shared values and morals that Joe and Chantelle championed. Together, we will continue to build a future that reflects Joe’s enduring spirit and commitment to excellence.”
The club’s mission goes beyond sport, offering world-class coaching, accredited educational pathways, university degrees, and character-building experiences for players. Phoenix FC’s vision aligns closely with the UAE’s youth development goals, creating a global pathway for future sporting and community leaders. The Joe Thompson Foundation will play a key role in supporting underprivileged players, delivering wellness and mentorship programmes, and ensuring that football is used as a powerful vehicle for change.
As co-founders, Bader and Amer Al Akkad shared:
“Phoenix was always about more than football. With Chantelle, the Forshaw family, and our global partners, we are shaping a platform that gives young people opportunity, education, and inspiration. This is the legacy Joe began and together, we will carry it forward to impact generations.”
Phoenix FC – Football. Degree. Pathway.