13 Facts About Carol Shanahan

Carol Ann Shanahan was born on 27 December 1957 and is an English businesswoman and club chairperson of Port Vale Football Club.

Carol Shanahan moved to West Bromwich at the age of six to live with her mother, who was the secretary to the West Bromwich Albion club doctor; it was at The Hawthorns that Shanahan first became interested in football.

Carol Shanahan met Kevin Shanahan in 1979, a fellow IT worker.

Carol Shanahan was awarded an honorary doctorate by Staffordshire University in 2017 and became chair of the Port Vale Foundation Trust.

Carol Shanahan founded the Hubb Foundation in February 2019, a charitable organisation to help underprivileged children in Stoke-on-Trent.

Carol Shanahan sold her controlling interest in Synectics in 2024, though remained on the board of directors along with her daughter, Rosie.

Carol Shanahan said she "came away shaking" from the vote, but made her decision for "the greater good" of the game.

Carol Shanahan was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to the community of Stoke-on-Trent during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Carol Shanahan sacked club manager John Askey in January 2021, following a two-month losing run that saw the team drop from the play-off places to 17th in the table.

Carol Shanahan was given an honorary degree by Keele University in May 2021 and named as a member on the EFL Trust Board three months later.

Carol Shanahan initiated a shake-up in the club's boardroom in April 2023, whilst remaining a "hands on owner".

At this point, Carol Shanahan apologised to the fans and stated her intent for the club to gain promotion again.

Carol Shanahan decided to do less public speaking after she was filmed without her knowledge while giving an after-match speech in the Valiant Suite.