The Trust Board has undertaken a consultation with members this week, and the early indication is that we will have the green light to implement our proposed plan.

The situation as it stands is that the current owners of Hartlepool United have put the club up for sale. While the Trust Board would be delighted were an investor to be found with a desire and the money to support the club, we know there are no guarantees one will be found. We are also mindful of the fact any takeover would take time and that the football club would need to be funded in the interim. The current owners have not given a commitment to do so.

Given the turmoil of the last few seasons we feel it is imperative that any new owners need to be thoroughly vetted and full due diligence completed, and would urge the current owners to ensure this happens. The football club has had 4 different owners in the last 4 years, and we do not believe it wise for the club to change hands in another “quick sale” as this has not worked previously, and has led to companies such as TMH and JPNG being in control.

With this in mind we want to re-assure our members that the Supporters Trust Board believes we would be in a position to take an interim controlling interest in the club if called upon, and also if required be in a position to raise the funds necessary to ensure operational costs are met for the remainder of the season. We have the full backing of Supporters Direct in this regard who have successfully been through this scenario numerous times at other similar sized clubs.

We will continue to monitor the ongoing situation at the club, and also continue dialogue with the owners direct and via Supporters Direct. We will make further announcements as and when we have more information. As an interim measure The Trust Facebook Page will be used for official statements only until further notice.

The Trust Board are grateful for the offers of support that we have had from national media figures, former staff, players and managers, and local businesses. As stated we believe we have plans in place to secure the survival of the club if we are needed.

A magnificent statement!!!!

I just hope it's 'professional' enough to some!!!!

Excellent to the point statement. It seems to me that to really go forward The Trust, the public and anybody else concerned with the future of HUFC need to see the club's elusive books. Why won't the current owners reveal the full picture of what has really gone on? Apologies in advance for sounding naive but can somebody tell me the legal position here? How does somebody legally get to look at said books for any discrepancies, fraud etc? Can't complaints be made to the bobbies, particularly as we all know what went on with the last two previous "owners." And why hasn't the FA said something about all this? Any answers from bunkerites or anybody else would be welcome. Thanks.

A very positive and professional statement and you can only hope that it is well received elsewhere. Let's all hope this stops the splinter groups and makes them realise what can be done under one banner.

Would of thought only shareholder/s could request to see books, and then only with good reason for doing so. If refused shareholder could apply through court of law but again would have to have good reason. I would of thought pools current situation would be a good enough reason but who knows, the law works in mysterious ways, primarily designed to protect those with money or in our case those pretending to have money.

A magnificent effort, a massive WELL DONE to all involved in the trust. At least there is hope.

If the trust do acquire the club, will they also take on the debts that are currently crippling the current owners?

What debts are these? Does anyone actually know?

Quoted as Legacy debts in the last statement from when Pam took over.

Might all be just owed to sage who knows.


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Sage would have to be reasonable, if not they will get feck all back as the club won't exist.

They gambled and lost now they want their stake back...not our problem really

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Current owners have been duped by Coxhall and their investment is lost. Their only chance to get their money back was to invest in the club and be successful with a rapid return to the football league, lots of pay on the day and other income. They have failed to secure the latter. The value of the club going forward is based on future earnings not current debt. I feel sorry for Sage but the money has gone. Criminal charges against Coxhall might make them feel better but there is no cash left. Any new owner, Trust or consortium, should never take the current debt on.

The cynic in me says that Sage don’t want to open the books because the clubs biggest outgoings might be extortionate interest charges on loan payments to them or their pals.

This.

Coxhall stripped the club and to cover it borrowed off "investors" who were known to be slack in terms of due diligence and blinded by the smoke and mirrors and thoughts of the juicy interest that they charged.

The debts accrued were covered by further borrowing, hiking up the interest due.

Sage are the mugs at the end of the chain. Pam was the accountant for Sage and, to my view, is somewhat culpable as she would have done the due diligence on JPNG, but it looks like Coxhall managed to charm her into stupidity.

Sage must be particularly pissed off with her role in the whole mess. Maybe they insisted that she take the reins at Pools in order to attempt debt recovery.

HUFC holdings (or whatever the company is now called) must be in debt to Sage and also be fighting off claims made by Coxhall after his removal. I can't believe that he crept out meekly into the night with tail between legs. He will have covered his arse with legal documents just for the eventuality that he knew would arrive.

Yup, n I think that’s why the books aren’t being shown. Because sympathy would run out as the money is owed to sage and not coxall.




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Yup, n I think that’s why the books aren’t being shown. Because sympathy would run out as the money is owed to sage and not coxall.




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It's my birthday next month and I shall be insisting that family buy me items from the Trust site merchandise page in support of this worthy cause........a nice set of lime green towels for the bathroom wouldn't come in a miss. https://www.hufcsupporterstrust.org.uk/merchandise

Didnt Pam say their putting in 130000 a month yet have 29 players on the books? I thought they were trying to solve the financial problems? Surely having 29 players is creating them. Something somewhere doesnt add up.

I think they bet on a good season and a swift return to the FL. They clearly didn't have a strategy for an indifferent season and no additional income from pay on the day/cup runs etc. Bad management I'm afraid.

How many players do you think we'll lose in the January fire sale?

Are the Trust speaking to the council?
An interest free loan to help out would be most welcome.

Thanks to all involved for your efforts. Much appreciated by me and my old man

It is your problem though! We had exactly the same situation with Singh. He was brought in by Houghton and lost a load of money due to him. He then took on the club in order to regain what he had lost but ended up losing a shed load more money which he then tried to claim back when we were in admin.
Because of his actions a cva couldn’t be agreed and we ended up in the Northern League.

Given the current situation the Trust's efforts can only be applauded. A bigass standing ovation's worth of applause in fact.

So they can ask for their money back even if they "invested" expecting a return..shocking ..they got it for nothing debt free..or did they...

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Unless they gifted the money then yes they could ask for it back.
Singh made a big play on the fact that since he owned DFC he couldn’t loan himself his own money but when it came to the crunch it turned out that all the money he put in was just loans.

More importantly, does he like chicken?

Thanks to the Trust for all the hard work and attempting to safeguard our club!

And from me and my old man!


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Yes agreed, I’m pretty sure there’s been many hours of unpaid hard work; sincere thanks!

And from me and my young men

That sounds wrong


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And from me and my Willy.

And from me and Cabbage.

He appreciated his doggy selection box.

Hopefully all of them!


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Great news! Well done to all concerned....I still believe Pam is a front for Coxshit...and for Sage...Time will tell

Pams a front for herself..she stands to face and money thats why shes interested

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Just listened to the Radio Tees interview of 23rd December, in which Pam says that Supporters Trust were aware of the legacy problems & whilst she did not wish to say anything further at present, it will all come out in time. Supporters Trust (note, not HUST) may well be subject to a confidentiality agreement in that respect. As has previously been mooted, the production of the audited accounts may well have been delayed by any financial shenaningans of the previous owners. Perhaps legal action will be taken against previous directors, but it takes time for the CPS to formulate the case?

She did not dispute the £130,000 monthly shortfall which was suggested, but it would not surprise me if that includes Sage continuing to charge interest on their loan. So were Sage actually putting much additional money into the club, or just not taking their interest charges? Sage's own auditors must be angling for the debt & interest to be written off in Sage's own accounts, as recovery of those amounts from Pools must be seriously in question