8th January 2026 ❘

Our Corporate team advises on its latest football club deal –  the sale of Hartlepool United

Jennifer Bell

Our Corporate team advises on its latest football club deal –  the sale of Hartlepool United

We are delighted to announce that we acted for the Seller in the successful sale of Hartlepool United Football Club to Landon Smith, a US investor and the co-founder of real estate company Tailwind Group. The transaction marks an exciting new chapter for the Club, which for the last eight years was owned and chaired by Raj Singh.

The deal was led by Jennifer Bell, our Corporate Partner.  Jennifer and our Corporate team worked to complete the sale in a tight timescale, providing strategic legal advice throughout the legal and regulatory process to ensure a smooth and efficient completion on New Year’s Eve.

Jennifer said:

“It has been a privilege to work on such an important transaction for Hartlepool United Football Club. This deal represents not only a change of ownership but also an exciting new chapter for the Club and its supporters. We are proud to have supported our client through a complex process and to have played a part in securing a positive outcome for all involved.”

We have a strong track record in advising on high-profile corporate sports transactions and this latest follows on from us acting on the sale of Carlisle United Football Club to Castle Sports Group, reinforcing our reputation for delivering expert legal solutions tailored to clients’ commercial objectives.

Departing owner Raj Singh praised the work of our Corporate team, saying:

“Jennifer and the team at Burnetts have been outstanding throughout this process. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident from start to finish.  Their ability to manage complex legal requirements under significant pressure and still maintain clarity and professionalism was outstanding. Jennifer’s calm approach and attention to detail ensured that deadlines were met without compromising on quality. I am extremely grateful for their support and expertise in bringing this transaction to a successful conclusion.”

To find out more about the services offered by Jennifer and our Corporate team please click here.