Raj Singh (businessman)
Raj Singh (born 17 October 1964) is an Indian businessman based in England's Tees Valley. He is the owner of the Prestige Group and of National League football club Hartlepool United.
Care homes
[edit]Indian-born Singh is owner of the Stockton-based Prestige Group. His business interests include some residential care homes, a construction company and investment properties across the UK.[1]
Football
[edit]Darlington F.C.
[edit]Singh became vice-chairman of Darlington Football Club in October 2008, appointed by then chairman of the club George Houghton until the club went into administration in February 2009.[2] On 28 May, it was announced that he was taking over the club as chairman.[3]
On 7 August 2009, Darlington came out of administration and were given permission by the Football League for Singh to take over as new owner and chairman of the club. Singh, together with previous owner Houghton, were confident enough to appoint manager Colin Todd in the interim period, as well as sanctioning contracts for a new playing squad.[4] Shortly after Todd was handed a permanent deal Singh sacked Todd after he failed to win any of his first nine games and appointed Steve Staunton as his second permanent appointment.[5][6]
In early 2012, Singh decided to cut his losses and placed Darlington Football Club into administration, seven months after the FA Trophy victory at Wembley in May 2011.
Hartlepool United
[edit]Singh bought Darlington's arch-rivals Hartlepool United at the end of the 2017–18 season.[7] He committed more than £1.2 million in cash to the club, saving it from the threat of administration and potential liquidation.[8]
In 2020, the club was approached by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney who were interested in purchasing Hartlepool. It was reported in i News that Singh was sceptical and after growing frustrated with delays from Reynolds and McElhenney, the pair moved on and purchased Wrexham instead. Speaking to the paper in May 2023, club president Jeff Stelling said "It's 100 per cent true that they wanted to buy Hartlepool and it’s ironic they went for Wrexham in the end who are going into the Football League when the club who was their first choice, which was us, are going out of the Football League."[9] However in his programme notes before a game in October 2023, Singh denied this was the case writing that "Wrexham was always their first choice and they were keeping their options open by talking to other clubs like ourselves."[10]
Under Singh's ownership, Hartlepool earned promotion in the 2021 play-off final after defeating Torquay United.[11] In March 2022, in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Singh pledged £250,000 towards an appeal for those affected by the war.[12]
On 26 April 2023, in an official club statement, Singh confirmed that Hartlepool United would be put up for sale.[13] Hartlepool were relegated back to the National League after two seasons in the Football League at the end of the 2022–23 season.[14]
Shortly after relegation, the Hartlepool Mail were informed that they would be banned from attending Hartlepool home matches in future.[15] In subsequent discussions, Singh confirmed that the decision would not be reversed.[15] The editor of the Hartlepool Mail Gavin Ledwith added: "The letter was totally unexpected because the club had not indicated to us that there was a problem in the first place. Nor have they outlined with concrete evidence exactly what that apparent problem is."[15] The ban was eventually overturned in February 2024.
On 25 January 2024, Singh rejected a takeover offer for the club from a consortium including the Hartlepool United Supporters' Trust.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Darlington appoint vice chairman". BBC Sport. 2 December 2008. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
- ^ "Darlington enter administration". BBC Sport. 25 February 2009. Archived from the original on 23 April 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2009.
- ^ "Singh set to seal Quakers control". BBC Sport. 1 June 2009. Archived from the original on 7 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
- ^ "Darlington out of administration". BBC Sport. 7 August 2009. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
- ^ Stoddart, Craig (26 September 2009). "Darlington FC manager leaves". The Northern Echo. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
- ^ Wilson, Scott (5 October 2009). "Darlington appoint Staunton as manager". The Northern Echo. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
- ^ "Raj Singh: Hartlepool United owner and chairman says changes will be made slowly". BBC Sport. 9 April 2018. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "Raj Singh pumps more cash into Hartlepool United as stand sponsorship announced". Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "Wrexham's success is a bitter reminder of what could have been for Hartlepool". iNews. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ "Raj Singh declares stance on John Askey and lifts lid on Wrexham duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and their Hartlepool United interest". Hartlepool Mail. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Brent Pilnick (20 June 2021). "Hartlepool United 1–1 Torquay United (5–4)". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ "Hartlepool United's Raj Singh gives £250k to aid Ukraine". BBC News. 16 March 2022. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ "Statement from Chairman Raj Singh". Hartlepool United FC. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ "Hartlepool United 3–1 Barrow:Pools relegated to National League despite win". BBC Sport. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ a b c Gavin Ledwith (14 July 2023). "Hartlepool United ban the Hartlepool Mail from attending home games". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Gavin Ledwith (25 January 2024). "Hartlepool United takeover latest: Owner Raj Singh REJECTS 'final offer' from mystery consortium". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
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