Hartlepool owner Singh resigns amid fan unrest

Raj Singh has employed 12 permanent managers during his Hartlepool reign

Hartlepool United owner Raj Singh has resigned from his role as the club's chairman with immediate effect.

Singh has promised to fund the wages of the players and staff until the end of the season.

He said in a statement on the club's website that personal abuse from a section of the club's fan base was behind his reason to quit.

The businessman took over Pools in 2018 and oversaw promotion back to the English Football League in 2021.

But Singh put the club up for sale in April 2023 following relegation back to the National League, but nothing has materialised, with Hartlepool sitting 15th in that division.

Singh's tenure has seen him employ 12 different managers or head coaches, with three this season alone.

And against that backdrop, he has been criticised for the current state of the club.

"I have done my utmost to put Hartlepool United on a more secure footing," he said.

"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."

Singh insists that there have been no serious offers to take over the club in the past two years but believes that this is the right time for him to step away.

"In doing so at this particular juncture it will hopefully allow a new owner enough time to plan appropriately ahead of next season," he said.

"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."

An interim board will be set up to run the club and liaise with potential interested parties.