Stelling resigns as Pools president over takeover delay

Broadcaster Jeff Stelling has resigned from his role as Hartlepool United’s president over the treatment of people trying to take over the club.

Stelling said in a statement on X that supporters had been left in an intolerable position by the actions of current owner Raj Singh.

It comes after Hartlepool board members asked the owner to commit to further funding, with a takeover of the National League club still in “limbo”.

Singh put the club up for sale in April 2023 following their relegation from the English Football League and resigned from his role as the club’s chairman in March this year, stating his decision came amid abuse from a section of the club’s fan base.

The club previously said it would not be sold before the end of the 2024-25 season as Singh promised to fund player and staff wages until the campaign concluded.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, Hartlepool said they were currently behind with critical planning for next season as a potential takeover drags on.

Stelling, well known for his support of Pools on both television and radio, accused Mr Singh of hypocrisy by stating that he wanted to stop funding the club, but was now “affronted” that others should want to take it over.

He also criticised the fact that despite being a shareholder, he has not been informed about any potential takeover.

Stelling added: “I have not met the would-be buyers but I do know they have been trying to buy this club for over a year – not the actions of time wasters.”

A Hartlepool statement added the club would be asking season ticket holders to vote on if they would like Pools to take assistance from Singh going forward – a vote suggested by the owner himself.

“Mr Singh has made no formal commitment to step in as chairman or principal funder,” the statement said.

“He highlighted that he could do so only if supporters want him to assist, and he was very mindful of prior supporter requests for him to step down. He has suggested this should be a decision for supporters and not the board.”

Hartlepool recorded an 11th place finish in the National League this campaign, in their second season since relegation from the EFL.

“Without external funding support and a more stable environment to work under, the club will inevitably fall yet further behind with both on-field and off-field planning, which could ultimately threaten its very existence,” the statement added.

“The club is already running the risk of failing to prepare for next season which could become unrecoverable in a very short period of time. The club’s retained player list must be decided upon by Saturday and squad planning is well behind where it should be due to the current limbo position.

“Much of the good work that has been done over recent years to put the club on a stable footing hangs in the balance. In summary the board feel that the club can wait no longer and must act now.”

Hartlepool also revealed that a further revised deadline had been missed by a potential takeover party.

“This party had their original proposal and offer accepted by Mr Singh in the second week of March but have since missed deadlines to deposit agreed funds,” the club said.

“In the party’s original offer they identified a target exchange date in April which was missed and subsequently a second target exchange date in May which is now unrealistic given the inability to deposit funds.

“Like with most National League takeover propositions, a prominent consideration and due diligence item for any prospective owner is the level of funding required to sustain and progress the club next season, and indeed year on year beyond that.

“Still at this stage no party has deposited the required proof of funds to a level to operate the club next season.”

In a subsequent statement from owner Raj Singh he stated the current issues were not planned and he was hoping a takeover would have been completed by now.

“I feel I must make my position clear that this was not planned, as some people will now regrettably insinuate,” the businessman said.

“I have not attended any games since I stepped down and I was getting used to life after HUFC in all honesty – if a new owner had been in the position to progress with funds in place we would not be in this position, so it could not possibly have been planned on my part.”

Singh claims a number of people have asked him to step in to support the club until a buyer can be found and has made it clear that is not imminent.

“Categorically at this time there is no party in a position with funds to immediately take over the club,” he said.

“That is not for a lack of trying and there has been a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes that people just don’t see.”