Man United’s Mary Earps named Women’s Footballer of the Year 2023

England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps has been named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Earps, 30, made history as the first goalkeeper to receive the award.

Speaking to BBC Sport, she said: “I am truly honoured. To be the first keeper to get their hands on the award is truly special and I am incredibly grateful.”

Fans voted on the BBC Sport website after five players were shortlisted for the award. A panel of experts made up of journalists, administrators, players and coaches from around the world chose Earps as one of those shortlisted.

Rumours were already circulating online that the Lioness goalie stood a good chance of winning the award after a stellar year playing for club and country.

She kept 14 clean sheets for Man United during the season 2022-23 – a WSL record – which earned the club their highest finish in the league, in second place.

Earps won the Golden Glove as England made it to the World Cup Final in August this year, though the Lionesses lost 1-0 to Spain despite Earps saving a second-half penalty. She also came fifth place in the Ballon d’Or.

In second place for the Footballer of the Year Award came Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati, followed by Chelsea forward Sam Kerr, in third place.

Earps has also been making an impact off the pitch as well as on. This year she called out England’s kit manufacturer Nike for not producing replicas of her shirt for fans and aspiring female footballers to be able to buy.

In her speech, Earps continued: “To be honest, I thought Bonmati might take it. I mean, what a player.

“There has been a lot that has happened this year. Obviously, we’ve had the World Cup. We’ve had everything that’s gone on with the goalkeeper shirts. 

“I’ve had the whole goalkeeper union behind me, it seemed like. Not even just that, just incredible support from the public and many people.

“Last year was an incredible season for United. I think it’s been an incredible year, an incredible couple of years. I’m just trying to make the most of everything really.”

Two months after the World Cup had concluded, Nike produced the replica shirts and put them on sale. Within hours they sold out prompting Earps to thank her fans for all their support over social media.

England boss Sarina Wiegman congratulated Earps winning the award in a video, saying: “Hi Mary, here I go again. I can congratulate you again with the award for women’s world footballer of the year.

“Congratulations, but you’re not done yet. You have to keep going – get some more. Enjoy this award.”

After a two-year absence from the sport between November 2019 and September 2021, Earps considered retiring from football. But instead she has gone on to prove herself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

She added: “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, the sort of things I went through, but I try to use my story as a beacon of hope for people – to show that there are better days coming.

“You just have to keep going and keep fighting. That looks very different to different people – everyone has their own battles and their own stories.

“I think what is incredible is how many people have reached out to me and shared their own stories through that. It’s been really great. Long may it continue.”