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Earps 'honoured and humbled' to win SPOTY

by
Mikey Partington
Wednesday 20 December 2023 11:53

Manchester United Women goalkeeper Mary Earps says she is very honoured and humbled to be named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2023.

After an inspirational 12 months, both on and off the pitch, Mary was crowned the winner of the prestigious award at the annual ceremony on Tuesday evening, held at MediaCityUK in Salford.

Our keeper pipped cricketer Stuart Broad (second) and athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson (third) to the prize, via a public vote, and proudly collected the accolade on the main stage before addressing those in the audience – including her parents – with an emotional acceptance speech.

Earps named Sports Personality of the Year

 Article

Mary has emulated two United greats by winning the prestigious BBC award.

“First of all, I’d like to say how humbled I am to be on a list of such incredible athletes, I’ve really enjoyed hearing your stories tonight,” Earps began, after being passed a microphone by co-host and former footballer Gary Lineker.

“I think sport is a fantastic thing where it brings the world together and to hear you guys talk and to hear your journeys, I just think it’s unbelievable so congratulations to you all.

“Also, thanks for voting for me, everybody who voted for me. I should have probably started with that one.

“Thank you very much, I’m very honoured and humbled. I feel like this is the ultimate all-round sporting accolade and I think us, as Lionesses and United as well, we’ve had an incredible couple of years, but this is just… wow.

“It’s not been the easiest journey and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without a number of incredible people in my corner, so finally I just want to say thank you to them.

“I am so glad I could bring some of my loved ones with me today - I’m not going to look at them directly in the eye because that will get a bit much - who have been with me through the really, really not-so-great times and the last two years [which] have been absolutely unbelievable.

“I’ve done more than I could ever imagine and, for that, I’m truly incredibly grateful so thank you very much, and to Ian Willcock and Darren Ward, who are my goalkeeper coaches, who are here tonight as well.

“So, again thank you so much to my team-mates, my coaches, I wouldn’t be here without you all. I don’t know what else to say so I’m going to get off the stage before I get the boot from Gary Lineker!”

 

MADE UP FOR YOU, MEARPS!

The United goalkeeper has received an outpouring of admiration and support since receiving her prize on Tuesday evening, with broadcasters, former players, team-mates and more all reaching out to extend their congratulations.

Below is a collection of posts from the world of sport on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), following the news of Mary’s latest honour.

Ella Toone: class Mazzzzzaaaa ❤ Very proud!! @1maryearps

Millie Turner: Never in doubt. Gran will be happy hey Mearps 🥰 Congratulations! @1maryearps

Nikita Parris: Unreal 👏🏾👏🏾 So proud

Aoife Mannion: 🙌🙌🙌 WOW

Katie Zelem: 👏👏👏👏

Gabby George: 👏👏👏

Phallon Tullis-Joyce: Congrats!!! 🎉🎉🎉

Emma Watson: Congrats Mary 👏🏻🙌🏻

Gemma Evans: Unreal 👏🏻

Mason Mount: History Maker! Congrats @1maryearps 👏🏻

David Beckham: Congratulations @1maryearps 👏🏼

Jermaine Jenas: One of our own!!! Well done you ❤️

Lauren Hemp: YESSSS MARYYYY❤️❤️

Jamie Redknapp: Englands number 1 England , Englands number 1 …

Jade Moore: Smashing 🔥❤️👏👏

Millie Bright: ❤️❤️❤️❤️

John Terry: @1maryearps Congratulations 🏆 👏🏻

 

WIN A SIGNED EARPS SHIRT

To celebrate Mary's win, we are giving away a 2023/24 goalkeeping jersey that is signed by our no.27. 

Enter the competition here, before it closes on 1 January 2024.

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