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Jeff Stelling steps down as president of Hartlepool United “in protest” with club ‘deep into crisis’

Jeff Stelling steps down as president of Hartlepool United “in protest” with club said to be ‘deep into crisis’ following a statement issued.

The National League side provided an update on its ongoing takeover process, expressing disappointment over public comments made by an individual linked to a potential takeover party, which breached confidentiality.

They have prioritised discretion in communications to protect operations, supporters, staff, and players.

Despite engaging with credible parties and granting due diligence access, one party, whose offer was accepted in March, missed multiple deadlines to deposit agreed funds, including a 10% deposit, and failed to meet target exchange dates in April and May.

No party has yet provided sufficient proof of funds to sustain the Club next season.

With critical planning for the upcoming season delayed and the Club’s future at risk, the Board approached Mr. Singh for further funding. Mr. Singh has not committed but is open to assisting if supported by fans, mindful of prior calls for his resignation.

The Club will poll 2024/25 and 2025/26 season ticket holders via email to decide whether to accept Mr. Singh’s assistance.

UPDATE ON MAY 17TH

The Club would like to provide supporters and stakeholders with the following brief update regarding takeover progress and planning for next season.

The Club has been liaising with several parties regarding takeover since the last update and new interest continues to come in.

One party that the Club has been working with recently progressed into a due diligence stage however they have not been able to meet an agreed deadline for full deposit of funds.

At this particular stage no party has deposited the required proof of funds to a level to be able to operate the Club next season, which will be a requirement for the National League and any takeover.

The Club will continue to proactively work with all interested parties and is hopeful to reach an agreement for takeover in due course.

The Board will be looking to continue Club operations in a business-as-usual manner and will be starting to implement some planning for next season given the timescales.

The current owner Mr Singh has agreed to additionally fund certain critical items that are imminently essential to preparations for next season, including a planned pitch refurbishment next week. As such our thanks are on record for his further support.

A significant number of supporters have already bought their season tickets for 2025/26, which has been fantastic. We would again ask for fans to support and take advantage of the early bird offer before the end of May deadline. Your support and pledges through season tickets are needed more than ever. All season ticket money has been ringfenced in a Club account and is for use on Club operations only.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

Hartlepool United Interim Board

UPDATE ON 21ST MAY:

Following Saturday’s communication with supporters, the Club would like to provide a further update and clarity regarding takeover progress and planning for next season.

The Club was disappointed to see some comments made openly on social media by an individual that the media connected to a takeover party.

The Club has been mindful throughout all takeover communications to maintain anonymous discretion for all parties and to be respectful of confidentiality agreements, whilst still trying to update supporters. The Club’s update on Saturday was factual and written with sensitivities in mind.

The Club has also tried to avoid creating heightened speculation in public domains as it greatly affects operations, supporters, stakeholders and ultimately the staff and players with livelihoods who are at the centre of this. However, it must now address some speculation for clarity with facts and act accordingly to ensure the immediate future.

Again, the Club would like to reiterate that it has been proactively working with all credible parties including through due diligence, in the aim of securing a positive takeover and future investment. This will continue in any scenario.

Since Saturday there has been a further revised deadline missed by one 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 party did deposit 10% of the total funds that they formally agreed to unconditionally deposit. 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.

The timeline of missed deposits and commitments significantly outdates any recent due diligence period. Due diligence access was granted in good faith ahead of full deposit of funds in order to support takeover endeavours, but it was never a prerequisite or condition for the deposit of full funds.

The Club is keen to clarify that current operations and all required due diligence information are in a robust state for any takeover assessment, with full credit to the staff who have been managing a very difficult backdrop over recent months.

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 the absence of an immediate takeover, and with the Club already behind with critical planning for next season, Board members have approached Mr Singh to see if he would commit to further funding of the Club. A number of supporters have also personally contacted Mr Singh directly on this basis in recent weeks with concerns as to the Club’s future.

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 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.

In response to the approach Mr Singh has made no formal commitment to step in as Chairman or principal funder. 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 that this should be a decision for supporters and not the Board.

The Club will therefore be asking its season ticket holders whether they would like to take assistance from Mr Singh in the current backdrop. An email communication with further details will go to all adult season ticket holders from 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons. We would urge all eligible season ticket holders to provide their opinion on this critical matter.

A further update will be provided as soon as possible.

JEFF STELLING’S STATEMENT:

Jeff Stelling: “Following Raj’s latest statement, I have resigned as President of @Official_HUFC. I know this is only an honorary role but it is the best way I felt I could protest against the treatment of the party trying to take control the club.

“Supporters have been left in an intolerable position with a perceived threat to the future of the club should they not support the current owner. Let’s remember it was him who wanted to stop funding the club. Yet now he seems almost affronted that others want to take over.

“Not once have I been consulted about this even though I am a shareholder. 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. I will always love this club and wish all our fans the best.”

Here’s how Twitter users reacted after Jeff Stelling steps down as president of Hartlepool United “in protest” with the club said to be ‘deep into crisis’…

@SiTaylor5: I know how much the role means to you Jeff and I’m sure it will only be a hiatus. I hope that any take over is swift. The Poolies don’t deserve this at all.

@jayney1908: As a ST holder for many years am still waiting for my email!! Response will be ‘get the hell out of Our Club’ 🤬💙 Just sell up now!! 💙

@stublackett : Fair play Jeff. Think we’re all as fed up as you are. It’s a mess. Genuine people are interested (Supporters Trust last season) and others’ this season. But pretty much the same outcome everytime.

@TrudieDaDog: Very sad that you have felt the need to take the steps you have, but sometimes something has to hurt for the greater good. Solidarity with you from a Scunny fan.

@KerenOrient: Sounds all too familiar – @BarryHearn did the same when it went to 💩 at @leytonorientfc. Hope all sorts itself before its too late and any subsequent owners ask you back! Youve done more for Hartlepool than anyone 👏🏼

@DJHustler1985: Bloody hell Jeff. I don’t blame you one bit. What’s the point in having that position if they don’t involve you in anything whatsoever. Strange way of doing business by them.

@DarloSince1883 : Unbelievable Jeff. However, should the absolute worst happen, at least you have a league standard ground to play at courtesy of the council, and you’d be back in the National League – without Radged Strings – in no time.

@anthonystevenh7: Don’t blame you Jeff , I for one myself is done with the club I will not be at anymore games till that bloke has gone and this shameful board all do one , they have destroyed a club and a fan base

@Davidjrj123: Jeff, at this stage you’re the only one in all of this that we can be 100% certain has the best interests of our club and town at heart. I hope you do get to meet the prospective owners and that they value your input more than the current incumbent.

@MbwLdurham: I still can not work out how what Raj is doing helps him or the club, it just makes it even worse for him self, he chose to stop funding the club, he could have said there is delay in take over but I will fund club till a buyer is found and take over completed, he been thanked

@Leetheyakker: The current owner who said he would stop funding the club , now he wants season ticket holders to vote I don’t want another season ticket thanks so you can go back on this statement when the season starts and we go through his again and again !!!!

@JWheelhouse_01: Think this has absolutely hit the nail on the head. It was Raj who wanted to stop funding the club & now he’ll spit his dummy out when he’s once again reminded we don’t want him & will put it on us… Huge credit to Jeff, really good to see him calling him out for what he is 👏🏻

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