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.
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]
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, 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.
Singh bought 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] Under Singh's ownership, Hartlepool earned promotion in the 2021 play-off final after defeating Torquay United. [9] 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. [10] On 26 April 2023, in an official club statement, Singh confirmed that Hartlepool United would be put up for sale. [11] Hartlepool were relegated back to the National League after two seasons in the Football League at the end of the 2022–23 season. [12]
Shortly after relegation, the Hartlepool Mail were informed that they would be banned from attending Hartlepool home matches in future. [13] In subsequent discussions, Singh confirmed that the decision would not be reversed. [13] 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." [13] On 25 January 2024, Singh rejected a takeover offer for the club from a consortium including the Hartlepool United Supporters' Trust. [14]
Hartlepool United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. The club compete in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system.
Darlington Football Club is an association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, England. As of the 2023–24 season, the team competes in the National League North, at the sixth level of English football.
Ritchie John Humphreys is an English former professional footballer. He is a former chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and holds a UEFA A Licence coaching qualification.
Ken Hodcroft is a British businessman, and the managing director of Increased Oil Recovery (IOR). IOR owned Hartlepool United for 18 years and Hodcroft was the chairman, before selling the football club to JPNG in 2015.
Matthew David Bates is an English former football manager and former professional footballer, as well as holding a UEFA B coaching licence. He is currently the assistant manager at Northern Premier League side Whitby Town.
Dean Windass is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. He played spells at Bradford City and contributed to his hometown team Hull City's promotion to the Premier League in 2008.
Paul Murray is an English football coach and former professional player. He is currently academy manager and acting caretaker manager of Oldham Athletic.
Graeme Barry Lee is an English professional football manager and former player who played as a defender. He is the manager of Spennymoor Town.
Craig Hignett, is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker and later in his career as a midfielder.
Mark Nicholas Cooper is an English former association football player and manager who played as a midfielder. He is currently the manager of Yeovil Town.
Neil Jeffrey Austin is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender.
Pádraig Amond is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker for League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford.
George Houghton is a former property tycoon who was the chairman of Darlington Football Club. He became chairman in March 2006 following Stewart Davies. In 2006, Houghton traveled to Poland for talks to establish feeder clubs. In 2010, Houghton stated his intention to step down as chairman in two years' time. Houghton appointed the first ever vice chairman at the club on 2 December 2008, Raj Singh.
Craig George Liddle is an English former professional footballer, who played in central defence. During his playing career, made more than 300 appearances in the Football League, playing four years for Middlesbrough, as well as a seven-year spell at Darlington.
The 2009–10 season was Darlington Football Club's 81st season in the Football League and their 18th consecutive season in the fourth tier of English football, Football League Two. It covered the period from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010.
Jake Ashley Cassidy is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a forward for Northern Premier League Division One East club Ossett United. He made well over 100 appearances in the Football League playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tranmere Rovers, Notts County, Southend United, Oldham Athletic and Stevenage. He has represented Wales at both under-19 and under-21 levels.
Scott Nathan Harrison is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He played in the Football League for Hartlepool United and briefly for Bury and in the Scottish Championship for Falkirk, as well as in non-league football.
David Lee Ferguson is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back for National League club Hartlepool United.
Joseph Grey is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League club Hartlepool United.
Hartlepool United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.