Pools Takeover

It's been confirmed that Hartlepool United have been taken over.

IOR Limited have owned the club for the past 17 years but have decided to sell the controlling share to TMH 2014 Limited

Club Statement: IOR Sell Shareholding

IOR announce with regret that, after being involved with Hartlepool United Football Club since September 1997 (17 years), that the decision has been made to sell its shareholding in the Club to TMH 2014 Limited.

IOR wishes the new owners every success and would like to thank all of the staff at the Club for giving them 100% support over the years, which has been appreciated more than words can say. We wish them and the team every success for the future.

STATEMENT FROM TMH 2014 Ltd

TMH 2014 Limited can confirm that they have agreed a takeover of Hartlepool United FC whereby TMH become the controlling shareholder of the Club.

Peter Harris of TMH 2014 has taken over as Chairman with immediate effect with Ken Hodcroft leaving the board.

This is, as normal, subject to Football League approval and it is anticipated that such approval will be granted in due course.

We would wish to place our thanks on record for the discreet and professional manner in which this matter has been dealt with by IOR and Mr Ken Hodcroft in particular.

In an effort to keep supporters fully informed we briefly outline our immediate plans:

(i) The main and immediate emphasis has to be ensuring the Club maintain Football League status and the owners will provide as much support to the Manager as possible to give the Club the best chance of succeeding in this.

(ii) The appointment of a new Manager who we consider will be best placed to succeed in maintaining the League position and then progressing the Club forward next season and beyond. We anticipate having a manager in place by the end of this week.

(iii) Engagement with local supporter groups and the local authority so that all parties can work together to the benefit of the Club and the Town.

(iv) Russ Green has been retained as CEO and will be part of the battle to make sure the Club remain in the Football League.

Peter Harris said: “We see this as an opportunity to build and enhance the reputation of the Club. Our first aim is to bring a new manager in and then set about backing him to secure League status.

• I want to make it clear though that we will seek to fully embrace and acknowledge the efforts of the supporters and we want them to engage with us with the aim of always doing what is best for Hartlepool United, I will provide a more detailed statement in this week’s Programme.” *

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