Raj Singh (businessman)

Care homes

Indian-born Singh is owner of the Stockton-based Prestige Group. His business interests include a number of residential care homes, a construction company and investment properties across the UK.

Football

Singh became vice-chairman of Darlington Football Club in October 2008, appointed by then chairman of the club George Houghton until the club went into administration in February 2009. On 28 May, it was announced that he was taking over the club as chairman. On 7 August, Darlington came out of administration and were given permission by the Football League for Singh to take over as new owner and chairman of the club. Singh, together with previous owner Houghton, were confident enough to appoint manager Colin Todd in the interim period, as well as sanctioning contracts for a new playing squad. Shortly after Todd was handed a permanent deal Singh sacked Todd after he failed to win any of his first nine games and appointed Steve Staunton as his second permanent appointment. In early 2012 Singh decided to cut his losses and placed Darlington Football Club into administration, 7 months after the FA Trophy victory at Wembley in May 2011.

Thanks to the fans the club reformed and climbed its way from the bottom of the football pyramid to the National League North. Issues with the number of covered seating prevented the reformed club from entering the playoffs in this division in 2017. Surprisingly, following comments from Darlington manager, Martin Gray, characterised by some Darlington fans on social media as wholly unprofessional, at a Supporters Group forum, Singh offered to invest money into the club. Shortly after making the offer he withdrew it, citing the social media backlash from some fans, who had made it clear he was not welcome back now nor never would be after what they perceived as his poor tenure at the club.