Port Vale owner joins Football League Trust board

The Football League have announced that Port Vale owner Carol Shanahan has joined the EFL Trust board.

A statement from the League said:

The EFL is delighted to announce that Carol Shanahan OBE – Chair of Port Vale and Trustee of the Port Vale Foundation – has been named as a member on the EFL Trust Board.

Carol will join the EFL Trust Board, the charitable arm of the EFL, as an EFL nominated representative and will also chair the Advisory Group.

Following her appointment, Carol will join Lincoln City’s Liam Scully, who was recently announced as EFL Trust Chair to succeed John Nixon, alongside Debbie Jevans CBE and Andy Williamson OBE as EFL nominated Trustees.

Carol is the Founder and Trustee of the Hubb Foundation – a charity based in the Potteries, which operates from schools and community centres, supporting children and their families with food and activities during school holidays. In October 2020, she was awarded an OBE for services to the community in Stoke-on-Trent.

Carol said: “I am honoured and delighted to be appointed to the EFL Trust Board and look forward to working with the committee.

“We have seen at Port Vale during the pandemic and lockdowns how the club can become a genuine community hub – a beacon of light during difficult times.

“I passionately believe in the power of football and football Clubs to make a difference in their communities by harnessing their networks and using sport to affect positive change for all.”

EFL Trust Chair, John Nixon said: “The impact that Carol has had both on the Football Club and the Foundation has been nothing short of magnificent and we’re delighted to be able to welcome her onto the EFL Trust Board.

“Her work at Port Vale has brought the supporters closer to their Club, and we have no doubt that Carol will add significant know-how as part of her new role on behalf of the EFL.”

EFL Chair, Ricky Parry said: “It is hugely important that we have direct links to Clubs and CCO’s on the Board of Trustees and there is no better way than through a Club owner.

“Since taking the reins at Vale Park, she has helped bring both Club and CCO closer together during a particularly challenging period, both on and off the pitch, and that commitment gained deserved recognition as Port Vale were named the Your Move Community Club of the Year at the 2021 EFL Awards.

“Carol’s knowledge, understanding and vast experience from the charitable work undertaken within her community will be hugely beneficial for the EFL Trust moving forwards.”