Chairman Raj Singh is one of the best-known businessmen in the region having built up a strong portfolio of residential care homes throughout the Teesside area.

Mr Singh also owns a construction company and is involved in a number of investment properties across the United Kingdom.

His first steps in to business came when he was still a teenager running an off-licence in Redcar but he moved in to the care home sector in 1994 when investing in Longlands Road in Middlesbrough.

The business prospered and he is now the owner of Prestige Group which boasts a string of care homes across Teesside and one in the pipeline in Hartlepool.

A keen footballer in his younger days, he played in midfield or attack for a variety of teams including Whinney Banks Under-18s and Red Barns, though a damaged cruciate put paid to any dreams of turning professional!

He remained a passionate supporter of football in the region and in October 2008 he became Vice-Chairman at Darlington before stepping up to Chairman of the club the following year.

Having gained experience from his time at The Quakers’ helm, Singh was always keen to step back in to football ownership and is now determined to help guide Pools back in to the EFL.