England goalkeeper Mary Earps crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year
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England's Mary Earps was also named the best goalkeeper at the Women's World Cup after conceding just four goals.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – England women’s goalkeeper Mary Earps was grateful and in a reflective mood as she was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Dec 19, edging cricketer Stuart Broad into second place.
The 30-year-old helped England reach their first Women’s World Cup final in August in Sydney, where she saved a penalty as they lost 1-0 to Spain.
Earps also claimed the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper of the tournament, after conceding only four goals in seven matches at the global showpiece event.
“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,” the Manchester United goalkeeper told the audience.
“The last two years have been unbelievable, I’ve done more than I could have ever imagined. It feels pretty great off the back of a couple of really big years and 2023 has been wild in ways I couldn’t expect. I’m really, really grateful.
“I am going to try this Christmas to get some time to reflect and think about it all... I cannot believe I am standing up here – and I had a long walk in this dress and these heels. It’s a bit ridiculous.”
Earps follows in the footsteps of international teammate Beth Mead, who won the prestigious BBC award in 2022.
Following tennis star Emma Raducanu’s success in 2021, she is now the third woman in a row to win the accolade.
World heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson came in third in the vote.
The other athletes on the shortlist were jockey Frankie Dettori, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett and golfer Rory McIlroy, with the winner decided by a public vote.
Earps also did not forget to thank her teammates.
“I would not be here without my teammates with the Lionesses and at Manchester United because we’ve achieved some incredible things,” she added.
“While individual accolades are great, they only come after team success. This is their trophy just as much as mine.”
Earps is much celebrated in Britain. Away from football, the goalkeeper, who has a degree in information management and business studies, is constantly stopped for photographs, spotted at airports and in the street, according to the BBC.
She even has a bus and a tram named after her in her hometown of Nottingham.
However, her hopes of winning more trophies on the global stage took a blow earlier in December as England failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. REUTERS
