Manchester United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps has won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award for 2023.
Earps was one of the Lionesses’ standout performers at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, as Sarina Wiegman’s team finished as runners-up to Spain.
The United shot-stopper saved a second-half penalty from Jennifer Hermoso in August’s final, though that was not enough to inspire England to victory as they suffered a 1-0 defeat.
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She received the Golden Glove award at the end of that tournament after keeping three clean sheets, also finishing fifth in the voting for the Ballon d’Or award recently.
On the domestic stage, Earps helped United finish as runners-up to Chelsea in both the Women’s Super League and the Women’s FA Cup, though her future with the Red Devils is currently uncertain amid continued interest from Arsenal.
Earps was presented with the prestigious Sports Personality of the Year prize at Tuesday’s awards ceremony in Salford, becoming the third female winner in a row, after England team-mate Beth Mead triumphed in 2022 and Emma Raducanu landed the prize in 2021.
Earps saw off competition from cricket legend Stuart Broad, jockey Frankie Dettori, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett, golfer Rory McIlroy and athletics star Katarina Johnson-Thompson to land the main award.
Broad finished second in the public vote, while Johnson-Thompson came in third.
🔥 MEARPS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XDKEMtdMiH
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) December 19, 2023
Speaking on stage after receiving the trophy, Earps said: “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.
“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.”
Elsewhere, Manchester City captured several awards – including Team of the Year – after winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League treble last season.
City boss Pep Guardiola was named Coach of the Year, while striker Erling Haaland saw off competition from Novak Djokovic and Max Verstappen to win the World Sport Star award, having scored 52 goals in all competitions in his first campaign in English football.
“I’ve done more than I could ever imagined, and for that I am truly incredibly grateful.” 😊
Mary Earps pays tribute to her family, friends, teammates and coaches after winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 🏆#BBCSPOTY pic.twitter.com/LQ16nMbEd6
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 19, 2023
