Hartlepool United owner Raj Singh was interviewed after backlash from fans over recent takeover developments in recent weeks.
The interview comes after the apparent collapse of takeover talks, which led to significant unrest among supporters.
Singh aimed to clarify the state of the takeover and respond to criticism, particularly after a club update revealed stalled negotiations.
The video was shared on Hartlepool United’s official channels, including YouTube, and follows a period of turmoil, including the resignation of honorary president Jeff Stelling in protest of Singh’s handling of the process.
On the takeover, Singh said: “With one party, we were at a stage where due diligence was nearly complete.
“We were waiting on proof of funds, and proof of funds didn’t arrive, so we’re the same as where we were. At the moment, there are two or three parties interested so we’ll appoint an agent now to handle the sale, so they can do what they need to do before we get involved to bring credible parties to the table.”
Singh on claims that the vote that saw him return as chairman was “total nonsense”. There were significant concerns over the vote; some season ticket holders complained of not having received their email, while others who were not eligible managed to access the vote. There was little clarity on who was counting the votes, nor what sort of level of support Singh needed in order to return. In the end, he received 63 per cent of the votes.
He said: “I think it’s total nonsense that it was a fix.
“I needed to know for my own piece of mind, the reason being that there were people sending me some good wishes, some really good messages, wanting me to stay on. I needed to know for my own peace of mind that the general fans – or the majority of fans – were behind me. It wasn’t a fix, we had to get more software in to get the ballot done and the IT company monitored the votes coming in.”
Hartlepool Mail‘s Robbie Stelling also notes in their report that Singh commented on criticism from the Supporters’ Trust, over his handling of the club as well as the voting process.
“It’s difficult – that’s when it makes your position very, very difficult,” he said.
“I would like to flip that question to the Supporters’ Trust. They’re saying I’ve called a ballot that’s fixed. Well, when they’re putting statements out to discredit me, have they asked all their members to vote? The answer’s probably not.”
Singh acknowledged the impact of recent fan criticism but defended his bond with supporters. He addressed the club’s financial situation and squad status.
He also noted a challenging summer ahead with 10 players already departed and the potential exits of key players like Mani Dieseruvwe, Joe Grey, and Nathan Sheron.
He said: “The answer is that it’s in debt to Sport England. There’s a loan in place that was taken out that was given to all clubs at this level during Covid. Then we’ve got inner company loans from our companies to the club. They’re the only two debts we’ve got, we don’t have any debts to banks or finance houses.
“Yes, we have got the finances to keep the club going. Otherwise I wouldn’t have taken the step that I did last week, when we put in £215,000.
“I think it’s fair to say we’re a little bit behind in terms of tying players down, purely because the sale was supposed to be going through. I was not in a position to negotiate with players because we weren’t sure what the new people would want. We’ve only started talking to people at the back end of last week. I don’t think it’s the case of players wanting to leave; it’s a case of negotiating both ways and trying to get them to stay.
“Admittedly, we haven’t got it right on the pitch – and that’s what we’re desperately trying to do.”
Club board members update
The Club can today confirm that Andy Steel will be stepping down from his role as a Club Director and Board Member.
Additionally, Neil Pinkerton will join the Board as a new Non-Executive Director.
Andy Steel commented on the announcement saying:
“I would like to thank the Chairman for inviting me onto the Board and it has been a pleasure to work with him and staff across the whole organisation over the last 6 years.”
“As a lifelong fan it has been a privilege to play a small role in the running of the club which has been an experience I will cherish. I’m not leaving the club and will be back on the Mill House terrace next season and look forward to getting behind the team once again come August – NSD.”
Chairman Raj Singh commented on the changes:
“I would like to thank Andy for all the work he has put in at the club over the past few years. As everyone around town knows he is a Poolie through and through and I’m sure he will continue to support his beloved team as he has done all his life.”
“Andy informed us that he would be stepping down from his position during the course of last season and he has been planning this for some time linked to his retirement plans.”
“As Andy leaves I’m also delighted to give a warm welcome to Neil Pinkerton who will join us as a Non-Executive Director.”
“Neil is someone that has held a high position at Gateshead FC and done an incredible job over the last five or six years there. If he can replicate some of the success that they have had Hartlepool, then we will all be happy. I am really looking forward to working with him.”
Neil Pinkerton spoke about his appointment saying:
“This was an opportunity that I could not turn down. Hartlepool United Football club has a lot of potential and good foundations to build on.”
“Of course, these roles come with it’s own challenges and expectations but I am exhilarated by these, and I am looking forward to working collaboratively with all Stakeholders to ensure that we are in the best possible shape on and off the pitch come August and beyond, in what will be another highly competitive season in the National League.”
Twitter users gave their reaction after the Hartlepool owner Raj Singh interviewed following backlash from fans over takeover developments…
@anthonystevenh7: Lost for words with that , a mean it wasn’t what I was expecting only positive is that he’s hired a agent n talks are still going on with interested parties but the rest was utter rubbish how can ya not want to tie down your best players until last week to start 🤦🏻♂️
@poolsla:
Learnt zero from that …🙈
A waste of 12 mins watch
Noticed on the Keith Curke interview just as he was to mention I was sacked the next day, it was cut .
Only person to speak well was Mike Gough 👍
Not bothered about Carlisle and Forest Green 🤷♂️
Haven’t offered nowt to Mani and Grey in case the new owners don’t want them 🙈
Only 40 goals plus between them. 🤷♂️
Lost the will …
@liamwatson14: I beg to believe that 63% of the fan base who could vote wanted him to stay, I like it how the club didn’t give you a figure of people who voted, Due diligence takes time but it would take longer the timescale they set to look at the books 🙈🤣
@richyhpool: That whole interview was just set up to make him look a good guy!
@stublackett: I have no words. I hope that wasn’t paid for by the club. Propaganda at its best. Well done for finding 2 fans who also see no wrong… “Raj saved us”
@callum_alloub: And to think People actually voted for this bloke to run our club 🤣🤣 I’d rather start in the Wearside League than give him the satisfaction
@MattJGilb: My highlight so far is when he says we’re run quite well because we’ve only been relegated once.
@MichaelBarrass1: It’s like the violin player interviewing the captain of the titanic after hitting the iceberg and asking “are we sinking captain? Certainly not! “ Yes he has added £215k to his debt but that ship is going down
@NickMcNaughton: Is he genuinely looking for praise for not putting us into administration when we got relegated ? Car crash of an interview .. hopefully these “agents” can get the deal with Herd done !
@AdamMCrossman: Honestly man, what have we done in another life to come back as pools fans! Another new low, from the biggest banter club in the country. 💩
@jakepearson97: DFC fan here – what an unbelievable interview & narrative set by both RS & Frost. Singh is a disgrace and should never have been allowed to be chairperson of another club after DFC. A production of media that Kim Jong Un would be proud of. Insulting.
@garthwd: How about he gets asked some difficult questions instead of these easy ones. Why does he keep saying the alternative to him is administration when there’s clearly people willing to take on the club.
@adam_garrington: We didnt know if the new owners would want these players 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 yeh the new owners dont want a striker who scored nearly 40 goals in the past 2 seasons.. 🤣🤣
Absolute propaganda piece. This is what Raj is really like, spoken by a player who worked under him when he was Chairman at another club: pic.twitter.com/nop0V5WBbc
— Ben Pearson (@BenPearson1997) June 6, 2025
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