Hartlepool United Supporters Trust says it has 'financial clout' for club takeover

Hartlepool United Supporters Trust have aims of taking over the club from chairman Raj Singh

Hartlepool United Supporters Trust (HUST) has the financial capability to complete a takeover from chairman Raj Singh despite contrary statements, says Trust board member Ed Parkinson.

Singh said the trust's consortium failed to reach a "viable agreement" in their bid to purchase the club.

The statement added the trust had also been unable to supply details as to how the club would be funded in the future.

"Some things we dispute strongly," Parkinson told BBC Radio Tees.

"The biggest thing of all, looking at his statement is that he says he's still open to serious offers.

"He says we didn't have the financial clout to actually get this over the line - and I'm trying to say this in the nicest way possible, but that's plain wrong.

"We did, we have, got the financial clout to make this happen, there's no doubt whatsoever that we're in a position to drive the club forward and make major improvements.

"It's a major shame for the town if this opportunity is missed."

Singh did say that the club remains up for sale, and that he was still open to dialogue with the supporters' trust, and any other would-be investors.

HUST is equally keen to revive its bid for Pools, who are 14th in the National League table and recently named former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips as their head coach.

"I genuinely believe there is an amazing opportunity," Parkinson added.

"It will be brilliant for the supporters, the club and for the town, and I really don't want it to fail.

"I will certainly do everything I can to get the rest of the members of the consortium back to the table."