Jeff Stelling responds as Hartlepool chair Raj Singh asks National League clubs to ban him from their boardrooms.
In Raj’s letter, he says “Dear Club Chair/Secretary, You may be aware from media coverage that Jeff Stelling has resigned as Honorary President of Hartlepool United Football Club.
“As Chairman of Hartlepool United Football Club I would kindly and considerately ask that Mr Stelling is therefore not provided with official HUFC dignitary spaces in your Board Room or equivalent for any Hartlepool United fixture at your home ground.
“In the unlikely event that Mr Stelling independently attends any Hartlepool United fixture at your home ground, I’d further request that you consider to seat Mr Stelling separately to any HUFC dignitaries or staff.”
🎟️ “I’d already bought my ticket for Yeovil on Saturday!”
🤷♂️ “I don’t get the issue, or why Mr Singh wanted to raise it!”@JeffStelling responds to Hartlepool chair Raj Singh writing to National League clubs asking them to ban him from their boardrooms! 👀 pic.twitter.com/XwijZ613oM
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) August 6, 2025
#UnbelievableJeff Shocking that Raj Singh has behaved in such a classless way after all the support given and publicity generated that @JeffStelling has done for Hartlepool. On same day that Bury and Sunderland have shown that clubs can be classy this is the other end of spectrum https://t.co/Vu8ewO8JCD
— Kieran Maguire (@KieranMaguire) August 5, 2025
Asked what was his initial reaction to this and how did he find out?
He replied: “I was in bed asleep. Look, I didn’t know anything about it. You know, I hadn’t asked to be in any Premier League, National League boardroom.
“You know, I wasn’t aware it was an issue at all when actually I was alerted by a football club, another football club, you know, that Raj Singh had released this, you know, asking me not to be effectively not to be allowed in boardrooms of National League sides.
“You know what? It didn’t bother me. I’m not president of the football club anymore. It’s my football club. I’m a lifelong supporter of that football club.
“And if it came down to the fact that I travelled and stood with the Poolies, the Hartlepool supporters, you know, wherever they are, then that’s fine.
“I’d already bought my ticket, we’re away to Yeovil on Saturday, I’d already bought my ticket to be with a fan, so I didn’t get the issue. You know, or why Mr Singh wanted to raise it.
“But of course then it was leaked to the media and then of course it all spiralled and spiralled out of control.
“The only thing that I took offence to was in the statement he says, in the unlikely event that I attend games independently.
“Well, I mean, last season I went in the Aldershot, Eastleigh, Solihull, Hull, Southend, Sutton, Wealdstone, Woking, Dagenham and Redbridge, Ebbsfleet, Maidenhead and a few others as well.
“So, you know, it’s not so unlikely that I’d attend.”
Asked why Raj Singh make this claim? Why did he want you banned from boardrooms all across the National League? He replied: “Because I resigned as club president, mean that’s the gist of it and the reason I resigned as club president, it’s well documented, it’s out there now, is that there was a consortium trying to take over Hartlepool United and I wouldn’t necessarily say I backed them but I certainly was aware of them and no, I would say I backed them and I’m sure of the fact that that’s fair enough.
“But the point was that wasn’t down to me because Mr Singh had declared publicly, the club’s been up for sale for over two years, he declared publicly that he was stopping funding the club in May.
“And I thought it was pretty prudent that we might encourage other consortiums to come in and take over that club so we were not left in the lurch without an owner and without any money.
“So consequently, that was the reason that I was interested in this other consortium and when that stalled, that deal stalled, if you like, in my frustration I resigned as president, which I think is my prerogative and certainly doesn’t affect anybody at the football club, just as it’s his prerogative to carry on for another season. But I’m not sure why he was so offended at me resigning as president.”
Jonathan thanks so much for that. I am
pretty sure most clubs will be as gracious with me as they always have been. If not I have got no problem being with the travelling Poolies!— Jeff Stelling (@JeffStelling) August 5, 2025
Jonathan Brash MP tweeted: “I’m writing to National League clubs to request that @JeffStelling be treated with the respect and courtesy that he has most certainly earned. #UTP”
In his letter, he said: “Dear Club Chairs. Jeff Stelling. As the Member of Parliament for Hartlepool, I am writing to you following a letter that I understand you may have received from Mr Raj Singh, the owner of Hartlepool United Football Club, regarding Mr Jeff Stelling’s future attendance at your club. You will be unsurprised to learn I do not share the views expressed by our club’s owner.
“Jeff Stelling is a Freeman of Hartlepool, one of our most favoured sons, and a football broadcaster and journalist of international renown. He has dedicated much of his life to supporting football at every level, and especially to championing our club and our town.
“While robust debate and difference of opinion are part and parcel of football, I would respectfully request that Mr Stelling is afforded the warm welcome and courtesy he rightly deserves whenever Hartlepool United visit your club.
“Mr Stelling’s passion for the game and for our town is beyond question. In Hartlepool, we are proud of him and deeply value all he has done, and continues to do, for our club, our community, and the wider sport.
Thank you for your consideration, and as ever Up The Pools.
“Yours sincerely, Jonathan Brash MP Member of Parliament for Hartlepool”
There was plenty of reaction on Twitter as Jeff Stelling responds to Raj Singh, who asks National League clubs to ban him from boardrooms…
@adamfrwilliams: You will not find a bigger advocate of Hartlepool United than Jeff Stelling. Sad to see the club acting like this. Just seems to be needlessly fuelling more bad feeling and division
@sam_jeffs: Chally must think at times thank god Stockport come knocking so I could get away to a club that’s all aligned in what in what it wants to do
@stublackett: Well said Jeff. Love the fact that the most offence you took was “In the unlikely event of attendance” 😂
@aghdidim: Well said @JeffStelling that’s two strange things he’s done in the last couple of weeks and it comes in threes they say (not forgetting the tonne of other stupid stuff he’s done)
@JWheelhouse_01: This man is a genuine bloke who loves our football club like the rest of us. He is Mr Hartlepool United. All the way through growing up, and even now, when I say I’m a Pools fan people instantly reply “Jeff Stelling”. That says it all for me 🤷♂️
@RossMcbeath92: Raj OUT @Official_HUFC
@jordrich97: Jeff Stelling is one of us, he was here long before Raj and also played a significant role in saving #hufc with £100k of his own money. He didn’t mind losing out on his cushty role and perks for the greater good and love of his football club. Another Raj Singh own goal…
@ThePoolsPod:
He sits where he wants,
He sits where he wants!
Sir Jeff Stelling,
He sits where he wants!
@curtiz58: My god that is embarrassing. @JeffStelling please go to as many away games as possible and confront him.
@JohnBoyHastings: Dear @JeffStelling. You are more than welcome to attend a home game at @WorkingtonAFC anytime this forthcoming season – a fabulous reception at Borough Park is GUARANTEED for you. And that IS believable, Jeff. #OpenInvite
@dominic_hender: Jeff is full of passion. A proper football fan. I’ve been sat in the mill house seats since 1986, never been so desperate to c a change of ownership! We need Jeff
@afcb_r0b: Let’s hope the home teams sit him in their Directors’ area and break convention and allow him to wear a Hartlepool shirt.
@Kaylalula: I sincerely hope that, as a friend to both @SUFCRootsHall and @shrimperstrust during our recent troubles, @JeffStelling will be welcome to sit wherever he darned well likes at Roots Hall when Hartlepool visit.
@ChrisSegaFan19: Fucking hell!!! Hartlepool should roll out the red carpet for Jeff. Jeff is Hartlepool. Raj is……….. someone else who somehow got past the “fit and proper” test.
@PaulDix21783633: Jason Whittingham at Morecambe, this twat at Hartlepool, football is riddled with unlikeable bastards
Thanks Jon. Appreciate it. Once a Poolie, always a Poolie and by the way I wish Simon Grayson and the boys all the best this season. Might have to disguise myself in my Blues Brothers outfit from a couple of years ago to get into the Vic but will be at many away games !
— Jeff Stelling (@JeffStelling) August 5, 2025
