Take over Saga

[Snowy]

Is it over or ongoing..still…?

[bobby lemonade]

I'm assuming ongoing until there's an announcement that says otherwise.
I am curious to who's committing to paying wages etc with players coming in though.

[Kettering Poolie]

Nothing to see here- even the alleged alternative bid that was getting a bit chirpy, has gone to ground.

The Rajanator clearly fancies one last dance.

Should we have a poor start, fail to get into the First Round Proper of the FA cup and have sacked the manager by early November (the norm), only then will the dust be blown off the takeover papers and DD will begin once more.

On the other hand in the unlikely event (going on recent history) that we have a reasonable start, Make it to at least the first round and SG still at the club- then it will be mothballed for the foreseeable.

As I said, nothing to see here until bonfire night!

[loyal_fan]

I'm assuming ongoing until there's an announcement that says otherwise.
I am curious to who's committing to paying wages etc with players coming in though.

Based on incoming and outgoing I’d be amazed if our wage bill isn’t a lot lower than last season, just my opinion as oppose to having any information.

[kevin pooles gloves]

Is it over or ongoing..still…?

The silence is deafening.
A strange situation for sure.

As fans we can only speculate and even that's gone underground with the L carry on.


My take if its allowed :

Only 49% of the club up for sale.
Maybe a drip feed more over a 2 year period hence the 2 yearers getting handed out.

It's not very professional like to run a business and keep customers in the dark.

Better leave it at that.
Probably get deleted by lunchtime.

[Snowy]

When a manager was appointed and players were being signed I wondered if this indicated the takeover had arrived……then it slowly dawned on me it was business as usual.
Another season of entering the Grand National on Delaney’s Donkey loomed…..?
Another season swinging at anchor, the only movement being going around in circles…?
I’m normally cautiously optimistic at the start of the season, but for the first time I find myself resigned to getting it over asap and hoping we stay in tis league because there’s not a flicker of hope inside me over the coming months.
A damp fog of despair seems to be on both my shoulders and I can’t shake it off

[PTID]

I think it's still ongoing but it's going to be a long long process with Raj being major shareholder for at least the next couple of seasons.
Surely if the Herd Group bid was dead there'd have been an announcement to say as much without giving details or reasons, can't see how that could be in breach of any non disclosure agreements?
Agree this is probably the worst close season in decades in terms of looking forward to next season with any kind of excitement, it's down to blind hope now.

[Jules]

I'm assuming ongoing until there's an announcement that says otherwise.
I am curious to who's committing to paying wages etc with players coming in though.

Based on incoming and outgoing I’d be amazed if our wage bill isn’t a lot lower than last season, just my opinion as oppose to having any information.

You really do hate Pools dont you!!

[kevin pooles gloves]

We on a life support machine.

[kevin pooles gloves]

I'm assuming ongoing until there's an announcement that says otherwise.
I am curious to who's committing to paying wages etc with players coming in though.

Based on incoming and outgoing I’d be amazed if our wage bill isn’t a lot lower than last season, just my opinion as oppose to having any information.

You really do hate Pools dont you!!

Id say his quote is 99.9% nailed on.
How does hatred of Pools come into that?

[Jules]

I'm assuming ongoing until there's an announcement that says otherwise.
I am curious to who's committing to paying wages etc with players coming in though.

Based on incoming and outgoing I’d be amazed if our wage bill isn’t a lot lower than last season, just my opinion as oppose to having any information.

You really do hate Pools dont you!!

Id say his quote is 99.9% nailed on.
How does hatred of Pools come into that?

He just seems to have a go at every opportunity!!!

Never says anything good about Pools!!!

[billinghampoolie1908]

I'm assuming ongoing until there's an announcement that says otherwise.
I am curious to who's committing to paying wages etc with players coming in though.

Based on incoming and outgoing I’d be amazed if our wage bill isn’t a lot lower than last season, just my opinion as oppose to having any information.

You really do hate Pools dont you!!

What's good at the minute? We are being treated like shit why should he or anyone accept it?. The state of that team the other night was embarrassing and we have 3 weeks to sort it.

Id say his quote is 99.9% nailed on.
How does hatred of Pools come into that?

He just seems to have a go at every opportunity!!!

Never says anything good about Pools!!!

[kevin pooles gloves]

I'm assuming ongoing until there's an announcement that says otherwise.
I am curious to who's committing to paying wages etc with players coming in though.

Based on incoming and outgoing I’d be amazed if our wage bill isn’t a lot lower than last season, just my opinion as oppose to having any information.

You really do hate Pools dont you!!

Id say his quote is 99.9% nailed on.
How does hatred of Pools come into that?

He just seems to have a go at every opportunity!!!

Never says anything good about Pools!!!

Just maybe his posts are to honest

[accrington fan]

Is it over or ongoing..still…?

The silence is deafening.
A strange situation for sure.

As fans we can only speculate and even that's gone underground with the L carry on.


My take if its allowed :

Only 49% of the club up for sale.
Maybe a drip feed more over a 2 year period hence the 2 yearers getting handed out.

It's not very professional like to run a business and keep customers in the dark.

Better leave it at that.
Probably get deleted by lunchtime.

not long adter he arrived he was asking for extra investment from people to help him run the club. think you are corrct in saying 49% of the club is for sale. think it always has been, but nobody are prepared to hand over cash for someone else to have a final say.

[Flying Hogans]

If we've been taken over by Saga does that mean Steve Howard's time has finally come?

[Bluestreak]

Maybe its all just a fishing exercise looking for a mug to come along and make a daft mega offer......allegedly.

[Infidel]

Is it over or ongoing..still…?

The silence is deafening.
A strange situation for sure.

As fans we can only speculate and even that's gone underground with the L carry on.


My take if its allowed :

Only 49% of the club up for sale.
Maybe a drip feed more over a 2 year period hence the 2 yearers getting handed out.

It's not very professional like to run a business and keep customers in the dark.

Better leave it at that.
Probably get deleted by lunchtime.

not long adter he arrived he was asking for extra investment from people to help him run the club. think you are corrct in saying 49% of the club is for sale. think it always has been, but nobody are prepared to hand over cash for someone else to have a final say.

When Singh tried to sneak back in at Darlo he attempted this 49%/51% ruse.

Anyone considering this idea to be a goodun must be mad.

[loyal_fan]

I'm assuming ongoing until there's an announcement that says otherwise.
I am curious to who's committing to paying wages etc with players coming in though.

Based on incoming and outgoing I’d be amazed if our wage bill isn’t a lot lower than last season, just my opinion as oppose to having any information.

You really do hate Pools dont you!!

No just hate what we are turning into , where every season seems to somehow manage to be worse than the last and i suspect this upcoming season will follow that trend
We seem to be in a doom loop and i can see things getting dramatically worse this year.

I’m past the stage of mindless optimism, i almost convinced myself in the Hartley season we had some sort of master plan where we were tapping a market other clubs weren’t as looped into and we were going to shock the division ….am not going to be that stupid again !

[Snowy]

It’s like going on a cruise on the Regtanic where one lot of passengers are less than
happy with the food, the ship, the owners and crew…and some love it, they like the rust, savour the microwave food and have again decided to give yet another brand new crew a chance….
Time for a quick chorus of ‘ For those in peril on the sea’!

[kevin pooles gloves]

More silence.
But that will suit the elites.

[Kettering Poolie]

Regardless of how bad a start- we can't be sacking the manager AGAIN before Xmas.

At least SG will have pretty much his OWN team to mould rather than being lumbered with every other managers shit acquisitions. Not since Hartley has that been the case. At least the players he's brought in have some sort of non-league pedigree unlike all the useless Sweaties we got landed with for 2 seasons, courtesy of Hartley.

I think we'll at least be competitive and grind out some reasonable results. SG is no mug and will be desperate to prove himself. I like the cut of his jib and think we should be at least mid table , without too many problems come Xmas, before pushing on in the New Year.

It's has been nice to hear in his post match interviews that he's had them in for double and triple sessions of training. Which should hopefully mean they won't be blowing out of their arses by the hour mark in games, as has been the case in recent seasons.

As for the takeover saga- not even worth mentioning until they decide to tell us what the score is- as and when they can be arsed. I would suggest that it's firmly on the back burner for now.

[kevin pooles gloves]

Regardless of how bad a start- we can't be sacking the manager AGAIN before Xmas.

At least SG will have pretty much his OWN team to mould rather than being lumbered with every other managers shit acquisitions. Not since Hartley has that been the case. At least the players he's brought in have some sort of non-league pedigree unlike all the useless Sweaties we got landed with for 2 seasons, courtesy of Hartley.

I think we'll at least be competitive and grind out some reasonable results. SG is no mug and will be desperate to prove himself. I like the cut of his jib and think we should be at least mid table , without too many problems come Xmas, before pushing on in the New Year.

It's has been nice to hear in his post match interviews that he's had them in for double and triple sessions of training. Which should hopefully mean they won't be blowing out of their arses by the hour mark in games, as has been the case in recent seasons.

As for the takeover saga- not even worth mentioning until they decide to tell us what the score is- as and when they can be arsed. I would suggest that it's firmly on the back burner for now.

He seems like a disciplariun keep fit expert.
I like that.
Create a good team spirit is massive in a low standard division.

I see a tiny glimmer of maybe.
UTP.

[Snowy]

I’ve come round to Grayson and find his signings interesting enough to catch my attention…but they were never really my concern, no manager or player wants to fail
My concern is what’s going on at the top level, because If feedback was a bullet it would be classed as a dud.
I find it hard to believe there was ever any takeover going on, given the the evidence before my own eyes and written it off… no point in fooling myself any longer than is necessary as my patience has finally run out of steam and credibility.

[kevin pooles gloves]

I’ve come round to Grayson and find his signings interesting enough to catch my attention…but they were never really my concern, no manager or player wants to fai.
My concern is what’s going on at the top level, because If feedback was a bullet it would be classed as a dud.
I find it hard to believe there was ever any takeover going on, given the the evidence before my own eyes and written it off… no point in fooling myself any longer than is necessary as my patience has finally run out of steam and credibility.

Fair Assessment Snowy.
For me only Promotion can end this shit.
And thats what it is on/off shit.

We can still talk about it!

[Poolie27]

The first 10 games will tell us if we have the backbone for this division. There's no hiding place rhen.

[accrington fan]

unless grayson is another hartley or sarll he should be allowed a full season. history has proved that all the sackings have never worked.

[Poolie24]

From HUST:

Dear Members,

It certainly hasn’t been a quiet or restful summer so far for Poolies!

With friendlies underway, the season rapidly approaching and much needed players arriving, we’re still left with a crucial question - when we look at our club do we see it making progress?

The first thing we must make clear is that we believe Simon Grayson is a competent manager and good man, and we wish him every success in building a competitive team after years of manager churn and squad clear-outs. We can only hope the new players add quality after the loss of Mani and Joe and others. If they complement some of the better players who remain from last season there may be hope on the pitch. So why do the board and many members of HUST still have concerns about the direction of the club?

Since the oddly worded ballot of some fans and the unusual Paul Frost video, the off field uncertainty remains. The nearest thing we have had to an update on ownership was a Mail article quoting a ‘source at the club’ saying that takeover talks with one party had ‘reached a conclusion.’ There’s been no mention from the club about contradictory comments from one bidder who was quoted in the same article saying that the deal was still alive. There have also been widespread rumours of other interested parties but there is still no official word about any of this. Supporters have been left guessing whether the club really is for sale, whether the Chairman hokey-cokey will continue, and whether there is any sort of plan to communicate with them in any meaningful way at all.

We believe that the recent appointment of a manager and the recruitment of some players can’t mask underlying concerns about the future. Our club remains in limbo, with no apparent vision, poor communication on substantial matters, wilting community ties, and what looks like becoming a quiet, unofficial boycott by many fans. It remains our view that a change of ownership is essential, especially with concerns about the escalating level of debt at the club and Mr Singh’s worrying revelation that we were only a week away from a winding up order. We’d all love to concentrate on football but there must be some open discussion about these important matters to ensure there is football to enjoy for many seasons beyond this next one.

We’ve listed the questions we’d like to put to the club below and we know you will have others. Please email us with any questions you’d like added to the list. We’ll send them to the club and publish the questions and answers on social media as well as our website.

● Are takeover talks still ongoing?
● Does Mr. Singh still intend to sell this season or will he now see it out?
● As confirmed by Mr. Singh himself, why were we close to a winding up order? Was season ticket money used to pay this bill and if so, how does this impact the remainder of the season and the playing budget?
● What is the level of debt at the club? Has it continued to rise since the last set of accounts were published?
● What is the short to medium term vision for the club? Will it create a clear identity and culture?
● Why are the contracts of our most valuable players allowed to run down?

It is high time that these questions and others were discussed openly with the supporters who are the lifeblood of the club.

The recent takeover attempt

While the issue of a takeover remains up in the air, members may have read a statement from Herd Group, pitching their vision for Pools. As a piece of communication this was straightforward, direct and way better than anything previously communicated by the current owners. Due to NDAs we’ve heard no detail of how discussions progressed or anything about other parties that may have an ongoing interest in taking over. If the club is still for sale we would, of course, work constructively with any new owners that share our values, which include rebuilding community links and trust with fans. Our priority is always a secure and successful future for Pools.

What’s next?

Regardless of how results go, the answer to the question we started with has to be no, we can’t see any real progress. Our club needs a clean slate - a new owner, a new board and, above all, people with ambition and vision, who are open with the fans. We need a leadership that looks to unite our club and town, and we have no apologies for pressing this point – change is long overdue.

The Football Governance Bill

On an important related note, the Football Governance Bill successfully passed through the House of Lords on 15 July 2025 and is now law. We will come back to this in more detail in future but, in summary, the key points are:

● a new independent regulator is established
● ownership and directors’ tests
● fan engagement
● redistribution of funds through the leagues

Supporters’ Trusts across the country have had a big impact in making this happen and will have a pivotal role in future. The bigger the trust, the louder your voice.

[kevin pooles gloves]

From HUST:

Dear Members,

It certainly hasn’t been a quiet or restful summer so far for Poolies!

With friendlies underway, the season rapidly approaching and much needed players arriving, we’re still left with a crucial question - when we look at our club do we see it making progress?

The first thing we must make clear is that we believe Simon Grayson is a competent manager and good man, and we wish him every success in building a competitive team after years of manager churn and squad clear-outs. We can only hope the new players add quality after the loss of Mani and Joe and others. If they complement some of the better players who remain from last season there may be hope on the pitch. So why do the board and many members of HUST still have concerns about the direction of the club?

Since the oddly worded ballot of some fans and the unusual Paul Frost video, the off field uncertainty remains. The nearest thing we have had to an update on ownership was a Mail article quoting a ‘source at the club’ saying that takeover talks with one party had ‘reached a conclusion.’ There’s been no mention from the club about contradictory comments from one bidder who was quoted in the same article saying that the deal was still alive. There have also been widespread rumours of other interested parties but there is still no official word about any of this. Supporters have been left guessing whether the club really is for sale, whether the Chairman hokey-cokey will continue, and whether there is any sort of plan to communicate with them in any meaningful way at all.

We believe that the recent appointment of a manager and the recruitment of some players can’t mask underlying concerns about the future. Our club remains in limbo, with no apparent vision, poor communication on substantial matters, wilting community ties, and what looks like becoming a quiet, unofficial boycott by many fans. It remains our view that a change of ownership is essential, especially with concerns about the escalating level of debt at the club and Mr Singh’s worrying revelation that we were only a week away from a winding up order. We’d all love to concentrate on football but there must be some open discussion about these important matters to ensure there is football to enjoy for many seasons beyond this next one.

We’ve listed the questions we’d like to put to the club below and we know you will have others. Please email us with any questions you’d like added to the list. We’ll send them to the club and publish the questions and answers on social media as well as our website.

● Are takeover talks still ongoing?
● Does Mr. Singh still intend to sell this season or will he now see it out?
● As confirmed by Mr. Singh himself, why were we close to a winding up order? Was season ticket money used to pay this bill and if so, how does this impact the remainder of the season and the playing budget?
● What is the level of debt at the club? Has it continued to rise since the last set of accounts were published?
● What is the short to medium term vision for the club? Will it create a clear identity and culture?
● Why are the contracts of our most valuable players allowed to run down?

It is high time that these questions and others were discussed openly with the supporters who are the lifeblood of the club.

The recent takeover attempt

While the issue of a takeover remains up in the air, members may have read a statement from Herd Group, pitching their vision for Pools. As a piece of communication this was straightforward, direct and way better than anything previously communicated by the current owners. Due to NDAs we’ve heard no detail of how discussions progressed or anything about other parties that may have an ongoing interest in taking over. If the club is still for sale we would, of course, work constructively with any new owners that share our values, which include rebuilding community links and trust with fans. Our priority is always a secure and successful future for Pools.

What’s next?

Regardless of how results go, the answer to the question we started with has to be no, we can’t see any real progress. Our club needs a clean slate - a new owner, a new board and, above all, people with ambition and vision, who are open with the fans. We need a leadership that looks to unite our club and town, and we have no apologies for pressing this point – change is long overdue.

The Football Governance Bill

On an important related note, the Football Governance Bill successfully passed through the House of Lords on 15 July 2025 and is now law. We will come back to this in more detail in future but, in summary, the key points are:

● a new independent regulator is established
● ownership and directors’ tests
● fan engagement
● redistribution of funds through the leagues

Supporters’ Trusts across the country have had a big impact in making this happen and will have a pivotal role in future. The bigger the trust, the louder your voice.

[MutleyRules]

I'll second that.

[Grayhoundend]

I’ve come round to Grayson and find his signings interesting enough to catch my attention…but they were never really my concern, no manager or player wants to fail
My concern is what’s going on at the top level, because If feedback was a bullet it would be classed as a dud.
I find it hard to believe there was ever any takeover going on, given the the evidence before my own eyes and written it off… no point in fooling myself any longer than is necessary as my patience has finally run out of steam and credibility.

If Richardson and/or Williams are going to be keepers then god help us, Other signings seem decent.

[Smokin Joe]

An excellent summary of the current position, as stated above the Trust will hopefully have a key role going forward offering commonsense and reality up against the mad, mad world of RSingh.

As an aside, several individuals - including Stelling Jnr - appear to be already convinced that a promotion push is on the cards this forthcoming season. This despite the fact that the squad is incomplete and effectively untested in the pre-season fixtures to date. Whilst I admire optimism, being a natural born skeptic I haven't seen or read anything to justify such lofty ambitions, certainly not at the current time anyway.

[kevin pooles gloves]

An excellent summary of the current position, as stated above the Trust will hopefully have a key role going forward offering commonsense and reality up against the mad, mad world of RSingh.

As an aside, several individuals - including Stelling Jnr - appear to be already convinced that a promotion push is on the cards this forthcoming season. This despite the fact that the squad is incomplete and effectively untested in the pre-season fixtures to date. Whilst I admire optimism, being a natural born skeptic I haven't seen or read anything to justify such lofty ambitions, certainly not at the current time anyway.

It's that time of year where optimism gets maxed out.
We no points behind the play offs

Strange pre season of non test fixtures.

[Snowy]

An excellent summary of the current position, as stated above the Trust will hopefully have a key role going forward offering commonsense and reality up against the mad, mad world of RSingh.

As an aside, several individuals - including Stelling Jnr - appear to be already convinced that a promotion push is on the cards this forthcoming season. This despite the fact that the squad is incomplete and effectively untested in the pre-season fixtures to date. Whilst I admire optimism, being a natural born skeptic I haven't seen or read anything to justify such lofty ambitions, certainly not at the current time anyway.

it’s more the triumph of hope over substance, but I suppose for all the difference it makes, being hopeful is a bit better than being a defeatist.
It costs nowt and doesn’t hurt.

[accrington fan]

An excellent summary of the current position, as stated above the Trust will hopefully have a key role going forward offering commonsense and reality up against the mad, mad world of RSingh.

As an aside, several individuals - including Stelling Jnr - appear to be already convinced that a promotion push is on the cards this forthcoming season. This despite the fact that the squad is incomplete and effectively untested in the pre-season fixtures to date. Whilst I admire optimism, being a natural born skeptic I haven't seen or read anything to justify such lofty ambitions, certainly not at the current time anyway.

It's that time of year where optimism gets maxed out.
We no points behind the play offs

Strange pre season of non test fixtures.

just need to go back 12 months and many were living in hope of sarll being an effective manager and we,d be having a good season. we really know nothing till the season gets going and the squad is fully finished.

[Mikey76]

An excellent summary of the current position, as stated above the Trust will hopefully have a key role going forward offering commonsense and reality up against the mad, mad world of RSingh.

As an aside, several individuals - including Stelling Jnr - appear to be already convinced that a promotion push is on the cards this forthcoming season. This despite the fact that the squad is incomplete and effectively untested in the pre-season fixtures to date. Whilst I admire optimism, being a natural born skeptic I haven't seen or read anything to justify such lofty ambitions, certainly not at the current time anyway.

It's that time of year where optimism gets maxed out.
We no points behind the play offs

Strange pre season of non test fixtures.

just need to go back 12 months and many were living in hope of sarll being an effective manager and we,d be having a good season. we really know nothing till the season gets going and the squad is fully finished.

Spot on.
I'm constantly amazed by the pendulum swinging from doom and anger to optimism that we're in good shape, ready to push for promotion. This also seems to happen very quickly.
Perhaps opinions don't change that quickly though, may be it's just the loudest voices coming to the fore. Right now the people either supporting or tolerating Raj are noisiest. That'll quickly change if results go against us.

I got HUST's statement as a member and thought it was a good summary as well. They're right to have warm words about Grayson because he could well prove to be decent - he certainly gives off reassuring vibes. Absolutely nothing has changed off the pitch though, although I think fans have just been worn down by the whole takeover saga, so that's quietened most down. I still think we're up shit creak financially and can only see that getting worse. The people who have been pointing this out for years probably won't take any consolation from the fact they're proven right if the worst happens. And if the risk of administration rears its head, I wonder if Raj's cheerleaders will hold their hands up?
It's easy to forget what HUST remind us of - Raj blackmailed the fanbase with that vote and continues to treat fans with contempt by refusing to communicate about anything meaningful.