Latest news with #CarolShanahan
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent community stalwarts honoured with freedom of city
Port Vale Football Club and the club's chair and co-owner, Carol Shanahan, are set to be awarded the freedom of announcement comes as the club prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary and the city celebrates 100 years since it was federated.A number of other significant figures will also be recognised, including billionaire Bet365 co-founders Denise and Peter Coates, and former Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley.A ceremony is set to take place on Thursday to confer the honours. Freedom of the city is the top honour the council can bestow on people in recognition of their recipients on Thursday include the lord-lieutenant of Staffordshire Sir Ian Dudson, businessman John Goodwin, historian Fred Hughes, businessman Mo Iqbal and music promoter Mike Lloyd.A spokesperson for Port Vale Football Club said the honour was testament to Ms Shanahan's impact on Burslem and wider city in the six years since taking over the award for the club itself recognised its history and commitment to community engagement through the Port Vale Foundation, they added. 'Genuinely touched' Port Vale chief executive, Matt Hancock said: "This is a truly special moment for everyone connected to Port Vale and I am extremely proud to be accepting this honour on behalf of the club."Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status on 5 June 1925 by King George Shanahan said the city meant "the world" to her."I'm genuinely touched and a little bit overwhelmed to be receiving this honour, both for myself and on behalf of everyone at the football club," she added that to receive the individual honour while the club was also recognised made it even more special."Everything we do at Port Vale is rooted in our commitment to this community. I'm so proud of what we've achieved together so far and even more excited for what's still to come." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hundreds of Port Vale fans attend Burslem promotion celebrations
It was a special day for fans of Port Vale FC as hundreds turned out to celebrate with the team's promotion heroes. A party atmosphere could be felt at Vale Park in Burslem on Saturday, after the side secured automatic promotion to League One following a one-season absence. Crowds turned out to see the promotion trophy, in an event put on especially for those who could not attend the side's last two home games. Manager Darren Moore and his players were later honoured with a civic reception by the lord mayor of Stoke-on-Trent. Moore said the team understood that the way they played had an impact on the community of Burslem and Stoke-on-Trent as a whole. "To be recognised by the city is what we wanted to do," he said. "To do what we've done in the last year has been fantastic. For me today it's a proud moment of a coming together." Co-owner Carol Shanahan said her club wanted to positively influence the area. "It just shows every owner of every football club that it's not just about what happens on the pitch," she explained. "It's about that ripple effect out into the community." Striker Jayden Stockley added it was a privilege. "We've had all the emotions on the pitch but coming somewhere like this today is a real honour for the football club," he said. The side were just pipped to the title by Doncaster, but supporters previously told the BBC the promotion would be a boon for the community. Mark Porter, chairman of the Port Vale Supporters Club, said it would lead to extra season ticket sales and more away fans visiting the ground, as well as helping businesses. He said Vale would have more money and local firms would benefit from advertising and sponsorship "on a bigger platform" in the higher division."[Vale will] sell more shirts, sell more memorabilia, sell more drinks," he said. "It's win, win, win." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
