Stelling’s Hartlepool vow

JEFF STELLING, presenter of Soccer

Saturday on Sky, is in talks to help save Hartlepool United from collapse and says he will pump his own money into the club if needed. Non-League Hartlepool face administration if they fail to raise around £200,000 by January 25. Stelling, 62, the club’s honourary president, will meet a potential investor on Monday evening, but is willing to cough up his own cash if the Supporters Trust take over the club instead. ‘I’m involved in discussions with a number of people, one of whom is the Supporters Trust,’ Stelling said. ‘The Supporters Trust are set to hopefully step in should no investor come forward with sufficient funds. I’m in discussions with one potential investor who I believe is genuine, who may yet save the day. I’m having a meeting with him on Monday. I feel very hopeful.’ Asked if he is already helping the club financially, Stelling replied: ‘Not at the moment. We will get the £200,000, then we have a new investor or the Supporters Trust, then I will certainly show the colour of my money at that stage because that is when we will need it. ‘I cannot afford to run a football club on my own but I will certainly put money into the club if the Supporters Trust are running it.’