An electrical connector comprising a housing provided on one of opposite end portions thereof with an opening through which an FPC is inserted into the housing, a plurality of conductive contacts arranged on the housing for coming into contact with signal connecting terminals on the FPC inserted in the housing, and a shell member mounted on the housing and provided therein with a holding portion operative to hold the FPC inserted in the housing, a releasing portion operative to release the FPC from holding by the holding portion and a connecting portion for connecting the releasing portion with the holding portion, wherein the releasing portion extends from the shell member, the connecting portion extends to be bent from the releasing portion, and the holding portion extends to be bent from the connecting portion, so that a U-shaped portion is constituted in the shell member with the releasing portion, the connecting portion and the holding portion.