talkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling insists he isn’t bothered about a request for him to be banned from National League boardrooms.
In a leaked letter, Hartlepool United chairman Raj Singh wrote to all clubs in the league asking for Stelling to not be deemed a dignitary.
Hartlepool are the talkSPORT Breakfast host’s boyhood club, for whom he was president before resigning in May.
Stelling criticised their decision to sack manager Anthony Limbrick, and revealed he would boycott home matches in the new season.
And in the morning after talkSPORT revealed Singh’s latter, he was quick to brush aside any concerns he had with the demand.
“I was in bed asleep. I didn’t know anything about it, I hadn’t asked to be in any National League boardroom,” he said.
“I wasn’t aware it was an issue at all, when actually I was alerted by another football club that Raj Singh had released this asking me not to be, effectively, 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, wherever they are, then that’s…
“I’d already bought my ticket, we’re away to Yeovil on Saturday, I’d already bought my ticket to be with the fans, so I didn’t get the issue, or why Mr. Singh wanted to raise it.
“But of course, then it was leaked to the media and then it all spiralled out of control. The other thing that I took offence to, in the statement he says in the unlikely event that I attend games independently…
“Well last season I went to Aldershot, Eastleigh, Solihull, Southend, Sutton, Wealdstone, Woking, Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet, Maidenhead, and a few others as well. So, it’s not so unlikely that I’ll attend.”
Singh made an unusual request regarding the club’s ex-presidentGetty But Stelling isn’t fazed and looks forward to supporting his club away from hometalkSPORTWhen asked why he thinks Singh wants him banned from National League boardrooms, he said: “Because I resigned as club president, I 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.
“I would say I backed them in actual fact, 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 and 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 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.
All National League sides received the letter last month“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.”
Stelling added: “I haven’t spoken to Mr. Singh for months, it might even be a year, so this was just completely out of the blue.
“I just don’t regard it as any big deal. I don’t think I’d be welcome at home games, I’d probably have to go in disguise but certainly at away games, I’m very happy to go with the fans, no problem whatsoever. I’d rather go with the fans, let’s put it that way…
“I’ll be at Yeovil on Saturday and I tell you what, I’ll say it right now, if Mr Singh is there, I’ll be happy to meet him and have a chat with him.”
Stelling was then asked if he connected Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to Wrexham before their takeover.
The Welsh side have won three consecutive promotions since they joined in 2021 and will play in the Championship this season, starting with a trip to Southampton on Saturday live on talkSPORT.
Hartlepool could have had Hollywood owners after Stelling’s introductionGettyStelling confirmed that he had spoken to the pair and revealed their interest in buying Hartlepool before taking over at Wrexham.
“Raj Singh made a statement last night and during the course of it, he does say that, ‘Jeff introduced the agent of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to me.’
“I mean, he wasn’t meaning it in a flattering way, but I’m thankful that he’s admitted that I did introduce, along with the then club solicitor Ian Scobbie.
“We introduced Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to Hartlepool United because they were interested in buying the club. That’s something that he admits, I don’t think there’s any shame in that.”
What did Singh request in his letter?
“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.
Stelling is a famous face amongst the Hartlepool fansGetty“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.
“Kind regards, Raj Singh Chairman Hartlepool United Football Club.”
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