Pools up for sale, after just six months
National League club Hartlepool United have been put up for sale – just six months after a change of ownership.
Owner John Blackledge, of Sage Investments, has decided he has taken the club as far as he can after assuming control from Gary Coxall and recruitment firm JPNG in June.
A number of financial problems have since been uncovered by chief executive Pam Duxbury, responsible for the day to day running of the club, prompting Pools to release a statement yesterday.
And while Duxbury has implemented a ‘big programme of change’, it has become clear that the club needs fresh investment to cope with relegation into the National League – and to help Pools realise its potential.
She said: “It’s been hugely difficult, with a lot or legacy issues with the previous regime. I’ve been here almost 12 months now and there’s been a lot of distractions, but we are about halfway through a big programme of change which is a huge positive. “There’s a lot of plans and developments ready to go, but we just need that new investor to help push it along. “I think it’s in the statement that Sage have put a lot of money in and it’s at the point when they are no longer willing to fund the club. They feel they have taken their investment as far as they can.
“It’s in a good place for the right custodian to take over.”
Plans to develop the Mill House land around Victoria Park for housing and retail remain in place, while a brochure outlining the developments being made at the football club has been circulated to potential buyers.
Staff were told of the situa- tion in meetings yesterday,
“Sage won’t walk away,” Duxbury added. “I’ve been quietly seeking investment and there’s been a lot of interest, for some it’s not been the right fit or the right time and there’s a lot of North-East interest. Hopefully by going public we can attract more interest.
“I’m not from Hartlepool, but I see the club as the heartbeat of the town.
“It’s of huge importance. I’ve helped to attract more businesses to the club and get more community projects to the club.”
Pools host Maidenhead United at Victoria Park tomorrow (3pm).