Jeff stelling resigns as takeover update puts hartlepool united future in doubt

Jeff Stelling has resigned from his role as honorary president of Hartlepool United after the latest takeover update cast doubt over the club’s future. Hartlepool United were put up for sale

by owner Raj Singh in April 2023, who then 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. At that time, he promised to fund the club until the end of the current season. While talks have been ongoing over the sale of the club, a statement released on Wednesday evening

stated talks had stalled. It also revealed board members had requested that Singh commit to further funding as key planning for next season is impacted by the takeover limbo. The owner has

said supporters should vote on whether to accept his assistance, in a move criticised as trying to position himself as a saviour. Reacting to the statement though, Stelling announced via X

his decision to step down from his role at the club. The TV legend and former BBC Radio Tees Boro reporter, wrote: 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." The developments leave the club

at huge risk after finishing 11th in this season’s National League. With Singh’s funding of the club ended, Hartlepool need a takeover to be completed or they will be relying on the current

owner putting more funds into the club to keep it afloat. The club’s statement on Wednesday evening said: "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 this should be a

decision for supporters and not the board. "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." On the takeover delay, the club statement continued: "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. 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."