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Legendary sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling has dramatically stepped down as honorary president of Hartlepool United, citing frustration and dismay at the club’s ongoing ownership saga.
The 70-year-old TV icon, best known for his decades at the helm of Soccer Saturday, announced his resignation on social media, revealing his disillusionment with the way the club’s potential takeover has been handled.
In a heartfelt and strongly-worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Stelling 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.”
Stelling, a lifelong Hartlepool United supporter and shareholder, expressed outrage over the treatment of prospective buyers and claimed he had been left in the dark despite his stake in the club.
“Not once have I been consulted about this even though I am a shareholder,” he added. “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.”
Hartlepool United has been mired in uncertainty since owner Raj Singh put the club up for sale in April 2023. Singh resigned as chairman two months ago, though he pledged to continue funding staff and player wages through the remainder of the season.
However, according to Stelling, Singh’s latest actions, and tone, have added fuel to an already volatile situation.
“Let’s remember it was him who wanted to stop funding the club,” Stelling said. “Yet now he seems almost affronted that others want to take over.”
The resignation comes as a blow to Hartlepool’s fanbase, many of whom viewed Stelling as a symbol of stability and passion during turbulent times. His public departure not only casts a shadow over the club’s current leadership, but also throws a spotlight on the increasingly fraught takeover negotiations.
Despite stepping down, Stelling left fans with a message of solidarity: “I will always love this club and wish all our fans the best.”
For Hartlepool United, a club with a storied past and loyal following, the latest development marks yet another chapter in its off-field drama. And for Jeff Stelling, it’s a reluctant goodbye to an honorary role that clearly meant much more than a title.
