Sky Sports anchor Jeff Stelling: Hartlepool United rescue mission is running out of time

Jeff Stelling has called for potential investors in Hartlepool United interested in saving the club to form a consortium.
The life-long Pools fan and Sky Sports presenter says he and a Teesside businessman have £1.2m to invest but need another £600,000 to achieve their aims.
“We can’t afford to find ourselves in the same position 12 months from now,” Stelling said.
“We need sufficient funding in place to guarantee the club’s long-term future. Our money is there and waiting if we can find the extra funds, but time is running out.
“Though it breaks my heart to say it, I don’t believe the club can survive much longer. The club needs investment and it needs it now.”
The club’s future has been uncertain since John Blackledge put Hartlepool up for sale in December.
The owner of Sage Investments refused to continue to fund the club having ploughed in £1.8m of his own cash since taking charge.
There has been interest in Pools but nothing concrete.
“We have done due diligence and any serious investor is welcome to look at the report,” added Stelling. “We have been working hard on this for the past couple of months, but we now feel we need the extra funding within the next week or it may be too late.
“There has been rumour after rumour about people with plans to save Pools, but nothing has happened and things are getting desperate.
“I remember standing on the terraces with my late sister Sue in the early 1960s. I can’t bear the prospect of this club going to the wall.
“I just hope there are some wealthy individuals or businesses out there that may feel the same. The town would be forever grateful.”