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All-but relegated Hartlepool put up for sale by chairman following fan abuse

All-but relegated Hartlepool United have been put up for sale by chairman Raj Singh following fan abuse after Saturday match.

Crawley have nearly secured League Two survival with a 2-0 victory over Hartlepool, who are six points behind the Red Devils with two games remaining and have a goal difference of 6.

Dom Telford’s double sealed what ended up being, Crawley’s second away victory of the season, and the Hartlepool home crowd made their feelings known.

“It’s probably the worst I’ve ever felt after a football game. To sum it up, I can’t,” said John Askey as per Hartlepool Mail.

“I just know it’s that horrible, sinking feeling, which I’m sure thousands of people who are Hartlepool supporters have got. It hurts.”

“I’ve got to try and get over this first. All I can do is give it my best until the end of the season and try and get the players at it on Saturday and just for pride more than anything now. That’s all we’re playing for. We’ll see.

“We’ll have a look at where we are and see what players are still under contract and what players aren’t and then take it from there.”

Now a club statement has emerged from the Hartlepool chairman Raj Singh and this is what he had to say.

Hartlepool United Chairman Raj Singh has today confirmed the club will be put up for sale.

Following on from Saturday’s game against Crawley and supporter sentiments that were voiced at the game, the Chairman commented:

“This comes as an incredibly tough decision, perhaps the toughest I have ever had to make, but I will formally be putting the Club up for sale. It is certainly not what I had intended to do but I feel I must listen to the voices from Saturday.”

“I am hurting and deeply upset following Saturday. I do want to apologise to all the genuine fans for the shortcomings on the playing side. This season has been nowhere near good enough and I will elaborate on that in due course.”

“As a local person I stepped in to help Hartlepool United when it was in danger of ceasing to exist and I have done my utmost. Despite what some people might what to believe or portray, the Club is in a much more secure position behind the scenes than when I arrived.”

“I find some of the comments that are being made and the abuse that myself, my family and some staff have received incredibly difficult to hear and digest. I have dedicated my time, energy and money to help the Club with the right intentions.”

“Since my very first interview, I have always said that I will not stand in the way of other another owner or investors who have the right intentions and backing. I will now make that opportunity formally public and promote it.”

Chairman Raj Singh also commented on the immediate future including John Askey and the plans moving forward:

“John Askey will be the Manager of this Football Club next season. I have sat down with John and Darren our Sporting Director to assure them, and all the fans, that I will remain fully committed to the success of Hartlepool United both on and off the pitch until the Club is sold.”

“Plans have been put together and the Manager will receive a budget of around one-third higher than the one that got us promoted a few years ago if we go into National League. We will back John and his team in either scenario to turn this situation around and we believe the ingredients are there to do so. In many ways the Club is in a stronger position now.”

“I have also given my assurances to the off-field staff that it will be business as usual and that they should continue with their good work and progress. The commercial team have a lot planned this summer.”

“As long as the fans allow me the courtesy and don’t force my hand, I will not just walk away and leave this Club in a mess as some prior regimes have unfortunately done. My aim was always to leave Hartlepool United in a better position than what I found it, and I firmly believe that can still be done.”

“Finally, I ask the fans to remember that we are human and also that potential owners, coaches, players, sponsors etc will all be looking in at us during this process.”

Further details of the process and timeline will follow.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Twitter users had their say as all-but relegated Hartlepool are put up for sale by their chairman following fan abuse…

@PaulGC84:
I think we all saw this one coming.
He puts the club up for sale as relegation is almost confirmed.
Next step: he will call in his “loans” to the club when no buyer found.
Administration incoming as the club debt will continue to spiral….

@NickMcNaughton: Oh god … he’s given another budget promise. Announce Spennymoor (A) 2024

@Davidjrj123: The right decision for the club. Thank you for what you did initially but the mistakes that have been made, the staff screwed over including players and managers, the breakdown of the relationship with the fans and the resulting decline of the club in a year were unforgivable

@Tom_HUFC1908: Fair play to raj Singh.. doing the right thing but too little too late imo.. step in the right direction however.

@anthonystevenh7: Best part is askey is staying and hopefully someone comes in who is willing to commit and spend some money to rebuild us again

@HufcHarry: 100% the right time for him to call it a day, at least he’s still backing the club in all fairness 👏

@miller_jonny: It was a small minority of fans that were calling for him to leave so this must have been premeditated. Also why now? Could he not wait 2 weeks? Can only assume the season tickets will be announced soon…

@Benrobbo012: At least he’s gonna still back us till he sells so far play to him

@hufc4promotion: How much do you want for it Raj?

@MbwLdurham: Well done to the chairman Raj, I think all fans appreciate what he has done, and I am really happy that he will still support the manager and see things threw till a buyer is found

@copper196: Don’t start jumping for joy just yet poolies…raj has only said what you want him to say….it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen…how can he make plans for next season…there are always buyers out there but they won’t pay his extortionate price tag.

@Darlo_Robbo: Heard all this before!!

@wiches93: Thanks for saving us Raj, you’ve taken us as far as you can, good bye.

@PeaLauncher: Be careful what you wish for

@JbrayHUFC_: Thank fuck see ya in a bit

@DanielHustler6: Thanks Raj for saving the club but now it’s back in the shit. Club should of been put up for sale the end of last season. The only thing is how much is he putting it up for sale for?! ROI and a little bit extra I bet?!

@copper196: Don’t start jumping for joy just yet poolies…raj has only said what you want him to say….it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen…how can he make plans for next season…there are always buyers out there but they won’t pay his extortionate price tag.

@MattyGrocott_: Not sure who the people are that are hurling abuse but think it’s uncalled for. He made some huge mistakes but he’s only human and I genuinely believe he tried to make this club a success. Poor judgement let him down though. I think selling now is the right call.

@JackgHUFC: Sure we can all say we thank him for saving the club, but his gamble backfired big time and he’s done his bit and now needs to step aside.

@MattyGrocott_: Pleased that Askey is staying, he really got the short straw when he came in and did all he could. Think there’s a good manager there. Lots of work to do though. As for Raj, thanks for the memories, I think just too many mistakes made. Hopefully someone wants to take us over. 🤞

@adam_garrington: Fucking party.

@mickyc1993: Another insult to the fan’s intelligence. The Club has always been up for sale. Smoke and Mirrors.

@SamArnell05: Biggest news here is Askey staying on for next season.

@xcharljenkins: About bloody time.

@hangover1990: Imagine sending abusive messages to him and his family after he stepped in and saved the club going bust. I would’ve bankrupted them out of spite if I was receiving abusive messages towards my family. He could’ve just let them die but stepped in and saved them.

@SteTrotter: Best bit of news I’ve seen in a while

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