Man United and England star Mary Earps named The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year after taking home the Golden Glove for her stellar performances at the Women’s World Cup…coming FIFTH in Ballon d’Or voting

• Earps played every minute for the Lionesses in their run to the World Cup final
• She achieved the best finish for a female goalkeeper at 2023 Ballon d’Or awards
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’

England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps has been named The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year.

The 30-year-old played a crucial role in the Lionesses’ run to the final of the Women’s World Cup and was awarded with the Golden Glove. 

Earps played every minute for Sarina Wiegman’s side at the tournament, keeping three clean sheets and conceding only four goals in seven matches. 

She also produced what looked at the time to be a crucial penalty save in the closing stages of August’s final in Perth but England ultimately finished as runners-up to Spain. 

Ben Taylor, editor of The Sunday Times said: ‘Mary Earps’ performance at the 2023 Football World Cup cemented her spot as one of the game’s greatest goalkeepers. 

Mary Earps (pictured above) has been named The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year

Earps posed alongside Spain’s Golden Ball winner Aitana Bonmati after the World Cup final

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The 30-year-old also produced a wonderful penalty save in the closing stages of the final

‘Her and the rest of the Lionesses showed determination, skill, and resilience to reach the finals and will continue to inspire many young girls for years to come.’ 

Two-time heptathlon world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, seven-time Paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockroft and English cricketer Tammy Beaumont were also among the nominees. 

The prestigious awards, which are now in the 36th year, recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution made to sport by women at all levels. 

Previous winners of the Sportswoman of the Year accolade include Emma Raducanu, Dina Asher-Smith, Elise Christie, Sally Gunnell, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Denise Lewis, Dame Kelly Holmes, Zara Phillips, Victoria Pendleton, Christine Ohuruogu and Hollie Doyle. 

2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000 metres champion, Eilish McColgan, took home the prize last year. 

Earps also scooped the The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award last season

The Man United stopper has seen her level of celebrity skyrocket following success with the Lionesses

Away from the main prize, snowboarder Mia Brookes clinched the Young Sportswoman of the Year gong. The 16-year-old won gold in the slopestyle at the 2023 World Championships in Georgia. 

Cockroft claimed the Citi Disability Sportswoman of the Year, while three-time Olympic medallist Katie Archibald received the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration. 

Taylor added: ‘These awards also recognise that sport and exercise is vital for the physical and mental health of millions of women and congratulate our Grassroots winner Aimee Rees, and Tess Howard for winning the Changemaker award for campaigning to make female sports kits more accessible.’ 

Wiegman’s Lionesses’ were also honoured on the night with the prize for Team of the Year.    

Earps’s stellar campaign was recognised at the Ballon d’Or awards in Paris on Monday, where she placed fifth and achieved the highest-ever finish for a female footballer. 

She was also the subject of a PR own-goal from England’s shirt manufacturer Nike, who took the peculiar decision to omit her jersey from their collection that went on sale ahead of the World Cup. 

Nike put the ‘Earps 1’ replica jerseys on sale following a backlash during the World Cup

Earps hit out at the ‘extremely hurtful’ decision with over 170,000 people signing a petition calling on the sportswear giants to change their mind.

It is understood Nike originally decided against selling Earps’ shirt for commercial reasons but a U-turn was made in August when they announced they would retail limited quantities.

Replica jerseys finally went on sale earlier this month, though many fans were left disappointed as they quickly sold out. 

Earps’s increased celebrity has seen her gain over a million followers on TikTok. She had considered retirement after being dropped by England in 2019 but has seen a remarkable turnaround in recent years.  

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