‘Testing times’ for Hartlepool as owner Raj Singh resigns amid fan unrest

‘Testing times’ for Hartlepool United, supporters say, as the club owner Raj Singh resigns this week amid fan unrest.

Singh resigned on Tuesday night with immediate effect and said that abuse from a group of supporters as his reason for leaving the mid-table National League side.

His time in charge has always been a controversial one, due to the running of the club, Hartlepool’s poor performance in recent years and relegation from the EFL.

Club Update: Chairman Raj Singh

— Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) March 11, 2025

BREAKING 🚨 Hartlepool United Chairman Raj Singh has resigned with immediate effect.#Pools | #HUFC | #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/79zgnFIe6b

— BBC Sport Tees (@BBCTeesSport) March 11, 2025

STATEMENT:

Club Owner-Chairman Raj Singh has today confirmed that he will be standing down as Chairman of Hartlepool United Football Club with immediate effect.

Mr Singh has confirmed that he will continue to support with funding of key club operations including player and staff wages until the end of the season.

An interim Hartlepool United Board will help oversee club operations and liaise with current and potential new owners.

Raj Singh commented on the announcement saying:

This is unquestionably the most difficult decision I’ve had to make as Chairman of Hartlepool United. It is a culmination of events over the last couple of years and the relentless rallying of some.

As someone from the local area I stepped in to help the club when it was close to ceasing to exist and I have done my utmost to put Hartlepool United on a more secure footing. I have genuinely dedicated my time, funding and energy to help, and always with the best of intentions.

Regrettably, some supporters and notably a certain supporter group, have made it clear that they want new ownership, no matter what the consequences, and there comes a point where the personal abuse and misrepresentation of information is untenable. In that sense those people are now getting their wish.

Whilst I will be stepping down as Chairman immediately, I will provide funding for operations of the Club until the last match, to allow a new owner time to step in.

I have previously highlighted that the Club has officially been up for sale since April 2023. It is impossible for people to know just how much work has gone on behind the scenes with enquires for takeover, whilst also trying to keep the club running day to day without impact.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of takeover enquiries have concluded as timewasters, and the fact of the matter is that nobody at this stage has stepped forward with full proof of funds under an intact NDA and wanted to progress. That backdrop is a concern and it is not because of an inflated asking price as some people have promoted.

We are now at a stage where I feel I am being forced to step away, which regrettably creates a time pressure for finding the new backer.

There is however never a perfect time to step down as a Chairman, but in doing so at this particular juncture it will hopefully allow a new owner enough time to plan appropriately ahead of next season. The team is in a relatively safe position in the league and there is the opportunity to negotiate both existing and new player contracts ahead of the summer.

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank all of the genuine supporters, staff and club stakeholders. Whilst I have not achieved everything I would have liked over the past seven years, behind the scenes the Club is categorically in a better place. That work, and in particular recognition to the staff who deliver it, is so often overlooked in the shadow of results on the pitch.

I would like to wish everybody at the Club every success in the future.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Ex-Hartlepool defender Ben Clark said Singh’s departure meant the club are facing “testing times” as it now looks for a new owner and funding.

“You have to be hopeful there are potential suitors out there to take over the club,” he told BBC Radio Tees.

“Let’s face it, it’s a fabulous club but one thing it shouldn’t be is 15th in the National League.

“It’s a good football club for someone to come and take over as, if you do get it right, it’s a magical place to play football.”

Hartlepool Mail football writer Robbie Stelling also said Singh’s resignation felt like the “first step into the unknown” and that fans had felt doubtful over Singh’s previous attempts to sell the club but said the former chairman did deserve some respect.

“Raj Singh deserves some credit for some of the things he has done, particularly early on in his tenure when he saved the club from administration and potential liquidation,” he said.

Stelling said watching Hartlepool play recently made it seem like the club had “lost the heart and soul that has made it so special for so many years”.

Supporter and member of the Hartlepool United fans’ panel Mark Caroll had been left “shocked” at Singh’s resignation.

Twitter users reacted to ‘testing times’ for Hartlepool as owner Raj Singh resigns amid fan unrest…

@IanGlass_: And if no buyer is found it’s Darlo all over again, after he said he wouldn’t let that happen

@Craigyrobbo81: After the last takeover fell through and he got dogs abuse I was on here saying be careful what you wish for. The dogs abuse continued ever since.

@IanGlass_: And now the club is on the brink of disappearing, sad times ahead I fear.

@mickyc1993: It can only play out 2 ways for Raj. 1. He stops funding and the club goes into administration and extinction and any debt he is owed dies with the club. 2. He hands the club over for free and writes off the debt and allows the new owners to start on a level playing field.

@WinwoodBailey: Would this mean he thinks the club will be sold soon up or he’s accepted a bid for the club? More questions than answers with him again. Can’t imagine the clubs financially self sufficient if there isn’t someone there

@welfare1908: Thanks Raj for saving the club in our time of need, hopefully you are leaving the club in a better position than you bought it. Let’s hope the new owners have the funds to finance the club and move us forward to where we belong

@darlouncovered: Copy and paste?

@JNRoberts5463: So, what happens next? I think we can all agree it couldn’t continue as it is and Raj wasn’t going to put up with anymore ‘abuse’ so this is the only logical step he could take. What he does next is anybodys guess. I hope there’s buyers lined up but genuinely only Raj knows.

@William94161728: We need to pack the park on Saturday now those who stayed away return. Nice late kick off so time for a few ales beforehand to get the atmosphere up!

@Davidjrj123: Holding you accountable for terrible decision making isn’t abuse and never has been.

@SGC501: Is it a case of better the devil you know? Let’s say he’s a 3.5/10 owner who’s to say the next one won’t be below

@JWheelhouse_01: Absolutely THE best news we could possibly ask for as supporters, BUT we now need to find someone who will take over this club of ours or it could all come to an end in the blink of an eye… You would like to think that it won’t come to this though 😩

@stretcha75: Ctrl C + Ctrl V from 2011.

@tom_breedon: They’ve got fans defending him and blaming their supporters trust 🤣🤣🤣 look where Wrexham are! That would have been them if Singh didn’t tell Reynolds and Mac to sling their hook for his ego! Absolutely beautiful 👌

@ellenhornsey_: Since when was fans holding an owners terrible decision making and overall ownership of a club accountable known as abuse🤣🤣 rarf

@marksheepherd: Considering there was a willing and able buyer last year who he turned down after they met his asking price, why do this now and not just accept the bid? There’s 2 months left of the season and then funding ends, sounds like admin is looming

@miller_jonny: Was always coming… parachute payments gone after this season so the consultancy fees would be smaller 😉

@Forbesie10: The fact there are people celebrating is frightening. I’m not Raj’s biggest fan but the potential ramifications of this are huge. If no new owners come in, we are bust. Why would people celebrate that?

@TheSpiderzWeb: Thank you Raj for everything you have done for this club. Saved the club from dying and created amazing memories for me. I will forever be grateful

@Elwick123: So this is a right mess. Chairman stepping down before there is a buyer for the club – forced out by a minority of vocal fans. No more funding after the end of the season…….

@bennymac1994: basically don’t find a buyer it’s darlo 2.0

@MbwLdurham: We are in deep trouble now, no new owners in pipeline, no parachute payments, all those happy to get rid, well done 👏 you got your wish and if no one comes in club could end up in massive trouble

@Mogzy1985: Well see what happens if a buyer comes forward. If Raj does a deal or demands compensation. If he demands compensation he will most likely just liquidate the club, probably most cost effective for him.

@anthonystevenh7: Need buyers/ backers not charlatans actual money ppl this has to be right it’s do or die