Mary Earps leading contender for Sports Personality of the Year 

Goalkeeper Mary Earps is one of six leading contenders in the line-up to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.

The Lioness and Manchester United star saved a penalty in the World Cup Final over the summer, in the heartbreaking match that eventually saw England women’s team knocked out by opposition Spain.

Earps became something of a national treasure off the back of a series of outstanding footballing performances, as well as the calling out of sports giant Nike for not making replicas of her shirt for fans and aspiring female footballers to buy.

Her performances on the pitch lead her to fifth place in the Ballon d’Or in October, and the FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper was also integral when England won the inaugural Women’s Finalissima, when they defeated Brazil in a penalty shootout back in April.

Now Earps has become the bookies’ favourite to take home the award after winning further accolades, including the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Award – making her the first goalkeeper to receive it.

The United stopper also kept a Super League record of 14 clean sheets for her team last season.

Earps will also be joined by retired cricketer Stuart Broad, former jockey Frankie Dettori, athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett and golfer Rory McIlroy, on the shortlist for the award.

Broad became England’s second leading Test wicket taker earlier this year before announcing his retirement on the penultimate day of the fifth and final Ashes Test.

Liverpool-born heptathlete Johnson-Thompson became a double world champion taking home gold at the World athletics Championships in Budapest earlier this year. She took a second Commonwealth Games title in Birmingham last year.

Three-time British flat racing champion jockey Frankie Dettori triumphed in two British classics this year, winning the 2,000 Guineas on Chaldean and the Oaks on Soul Sister.

Meanwhile, McIlroy was the top points scorer in Europe’s Ryder Cup.

If Earps adds Sports Personality of the Year to her collection, she’ll become the second successive Lioness to collect the coveted prize, coming hot on the heels of teammate Beth Mead who won last year.

The winner will be chosen by public vote and will be announced on the show on Tuesday, December 19th.