England goalkeeper Mary Earps crowned BBC's Sports Personality of the Year

England goalkeeper Mary Earps crowned BBC's Sports Personality of the Year
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Nominees 2023
GB News
Holly Bishop

By Holly Bishop


Published: 19/12/2023

- 21:15

Updated: 20/12/2023

- 09:04

She succeeds her Lioness teammate Beth Mead, who won last year’s accolade

England goalkeeper Mary Earps has won the BBC Sports Personality of the year award for 2023.

She succeeds her Lioness teammate Beth Mead, who won last year’s accolade.


She beat England cricketer Stuart Broad came second, whilst heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson came third.

The other shortlisted sport stars were jockey Frankie Dettori, wheelchair tennis star Alfie Hewett and golfer Rory McIlroy.

Mary Earps

Earps is also the third woman to win it in a row

PA

Earps is also the third woman to win it in a row, after Mead and young tennis star Emma Raducanu - the first time that has happened since the 1960s.

Speaking to the crowds, she said: "First of all, I’m so humbled to be on a list of such incredible athletes. Sport is a fantastic thing where it brings the world together and it's been brilliant to listen to everyone's stories, so congratulations to you all.

"Thanks for voting for me everyone! I’m very honoured and humbled, as this is the ultimate all round sporting accolade. We’ve had an incredible couple of years but this is just wow.

"It’s not been the easiest journey and I wouldn't be here without my loved ones in my corner, who have been with me through the really not so great times.

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"The last two years have been unbelievable, I’ve done more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you to my goalkeeping coaches, my team-mates and my coaches."

The goalkeeper was one England's key players as the Lionesses reached a first World Cup final this summer.

She was was named the best goalkeeper at the tournament, claiming the Golden Glove award.

The 30-year-old saved a penalty in the final, which England lost 1-0 to Spain.

England Mary Earps

England star Mary Earps has got her way with Nike who were initially unwilling to produce kits

PA

Over summer, Earps notably succeeded in forcing Nike into a major U-turn this year over the sale of female goalkeepers' kits.

The sportswear manufacturers had previously insisted they wouldn't be selling jerseys of goalkeepers at the Women's World Cup, with shot-stoppers from the United States, France and the Netherlands also getting the same treatment.

When Nike changed their mind and put the shirt up for sale, it sold out in five minutes.

Speaking to Sky News on whether Nike had learnt a lesson, she said: "They [Sky News] know that they got this wrong and that's why they've done this correction - a big company like Nike, they wouldn't do that if they didn't know it wasn't right and that there was an injustice there.

"They did the right thing and, really, I can't thank the public enough for their support and, really, we wouldn't be in this position without it."

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