Jeff Stelling has escalated a row with his beloved Hartlepool after he took to social media with a defiant post following recent disputes.
The former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday presenter took a selfie of himself attending Hartlepool’s away fixture against Southend on Monday, captioned “another unlikely event”, as the disagreement over his participation in away games continues.
Stelling, who was renowned for his role on Sky Sports and more recently talkSPORT, always made his allegiances to boyhood club Hartlepool clear, even on air.
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The 70-year-old resigned from his position as honorary president, a role he held since January 2016, in May of this year after a row with the club’s owner, Raj Singh.
Jeff Stelling took to social media amid his row with Hartlepool owner Raj Singh
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Singh bought Hartlepool in 2018, but vowed to sell the Teeside club after their relegation from the football league in 2023.
However, negotiations were stalling with prospective buyers, to the frustration of lifelong Pools fan Stelling.
Raj Singh bought Hartlepool in 2018
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He proclaimed against Singh’s handling of negotiations that had not progressed despite promises of a sale. Stelling added that he had “not met the would-be buyers” but insisted they have been “trying to buy this club for over a year” on a social media post.
The club bitterly refuted these claims, retorting: “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.
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Jeff Stelling attending the football with his son, Robbie
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"Still at this stage no party has deposited the required proof of funds to a level to operate the club next season."
Upon the start of the new campaign this month, there were sensational reports that the club had written to other sides within the National League requesting that they not allow Stelling into the games. These were firmly denied by Hartlepool.
“For absolute clarity, neither the Club nor Chairman have asked for other clubs in the National League to exclude or ban Mr. Stelling from matches at their grounds,” a statement from the club read.
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“Mr. Stelling resigned whilst making unfounded accusations about the treatment of an unnamed party that he claimed had interest in takeover of the club.
“The letter that the Club recently sent to National League opposition simply informed opposition that Mr Stelling no longer held a formal role and considerately asked opposition not to allocate Mr. Stelling dignitary places or seating, so as to avoid any unnecessary confusion or embarrassment on matchdays for the benefit of all parties including Mr. Stelling.
“Mr. Stelling is of course able to attend away matches in any other capacity, as he stated was his intention when he resigned. At no point has the Club or Chairman requested or suggested that be otherwise.”
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Jeff Stelling became frustrated by the lack of progress for a sale of Hartlepool
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On Monday, Stelling defied the reports again by posting a selfie captioned “another unlikely event” while watching his beloved Hartlepool nick a point away at Southend, as their unbeaten start to the season continues.
The post shows that Stelling had been allowed into the stadium but it was unclear whether he was given a seat by Southend, which would be against the request of Singh.
The Pools’ dispute with Stelling is not their only recent public spat, with BBC Sport Tees announcing they had been refused entry into The Prestige Group Stadium - Hartlepool’s home ground - over a disagreement with a piece of journalism produced that discussed the club’s finances.
“We can't bring you live commentary of Hartlepool United's home game today,” their statement read.
Jeff Stelling continues to attend Hartlepool games
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“Hartlepool United have refused our commentator access to the ground, after an interview we broadcast earlier this summer about the sale of the club and their finances.
“We stand by that journalism, and we know it's the fans who lose out most. We are really sorry for that. We'll keep working to resolve this and will do our best to keep you across today's game.”
The Pools are currently in their third season outside of the Football League, but have endured a positive opening.
Despite Stelling’s resignation from official club duties, the 70-year-old remains a constant figure in supporting his beloved Hartlepool from the stands.
His club, on the other hand, are yet to be sold.