Jeff Stelling welcomed back into Hartlepool fold by new American owner
The TV presenter, arguably the National League club’s best-known fan, stood down as honorary president in May in protest at the way in which then owner Raj Singh was conducting negotiations with prospective buyers.However, one of American businessman Smith’s first moves after completing his takeover on December 31 was to contact Stelling and hold productive talks which will see him return in some capacity.After flying in from the United States on Friday ahead of Saturday’s league clash with Altrincham, Smith said: “We’re excited to have Jeff back.“We’re figuring out the capacity as we work through. I just landed a few hours ago, so trying to figure out the workings of the place.“But I have talked to Jeff a couple of times and they were enjoyable conversations, so I’ll look forward to having him around.”Stelling and his fellow supporters will hope Smith’s takeover proves something of a watershed for a club which slipped out of League Two in 2023.However, they have been warned not to expect the 40-year-old to preside over the kind of meteoric rise which has taken Wrexham from the fifth tier to the Sky Bet Championship in under five years backed by the wealth of Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac.Smith said: “It’s a different type of project, I don’t think they’re really comparable.“I don’t really have the same situation or resources they do, which is great, but this is going to require a little more strategic planning, systemic growth, stable growth and then a foundation that can keep Hartlepool where it needs to be.”Smith made his fortune in real estate as a co-founder and principal partner in the Minnesota-based Tailwind Group, a business comprised, according to its website, of “unconventional thinkers who cannot and will not be out-hustled by any competition”.A man who fell in love with English football 20 years ago and who admits has been looking for a club for around 10 years, Smith is now ready to roll up his sleeves and with the help of his strategic leadership team, get to work.“Ten years ago was 90 per cent joking and every year that’s gone by it gets more and more serious until here we are,” he said.“I grew up on a farm in north-west Iowa. What comes with that is hard work, an ingenuity and thinking outside the box, so it's coming to the table as well.”In the short-term, Smith’s task will be to provide manager Nicky Featherstone with the tools he needs to ensure the current season could yet end in positive fashion.He said: “Right now, I’m just focusing on giving Nicky the support he needs. This season still matters, and we’re chasing a play-off spot.”
