England goalkeeper Mary Earps cut a captivating figure on Tuesday evening as she took to the stage at the BBC’s SPOTY awards to pick up the top prize.
The 31-year-old shot stopper turned sartorial show-stopper, choosing a beautiful black designer dress for her moment in the spotlight, which was broadcast live from Media City UK in Salford.
Nottingham-raised Manchester United keeper Earps, whose heroics in the World Cup saw her pick up the Golden Glove this summer, donned a £1,460 tulle corset gown by London-based designer David Koma, who’s known for creating perfectly contoured couture.
It’s not the first time the daring dress, which has a maxi-length fit skirt, plunging lace corset and cut-out detail at the waist, has graced the red carpet.
In May this year, Love Island star Claudia Fogarty, 29, donned the same semi-sheer lace panelled bodice dress at the Pride Of Manchester Awards.
And earlier this month former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan, 33, donned the same lingerie dress to brush shoulders with an array of A-list stars at the British Fashion Awards 2023 on December 4th.
The chic number leaves little to the imagination and the cut-away dress divided some of the SPOTY audience watching from home last night – with some sports fans not quite appreciating the haute couture choices of England’s star goalie.
One joked: ‘I think Mary Earps took ‘no dress code’ a little too literally’, while another added: ‘I’m not sure what Mary Earps is wearing though. Did she forget to buy a dress?’
Others loved it, with one writing: ‘Mary Earps should win for that dress. What a triumph.’
Elsewhere, another fashion fan penned: ‘I love Mary Earps dress but did think the walk was long – which she’s just mentioned! Anyway she looks fab & is fab.’
Earps, who famously saved a penalty in the World Cup final, also hit the headlines when she spoke about the hurt she felt that sportswear manufacturer Nike had not made her England goalkeeper’s replica jersey available to purchase before the tournament.
In July, Earps took on the sportswear giant by criticising their ‘hugely hurtful’ decision not to put her goalkeeper shirt on sale for a second tournament running.
‘It’s something that I’ve been fighting behind closed doors. I’ve been desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and with Nike,’ Earps said.
‘Unfortunately it’s become very evident that is not possible and there’s not going to be an acceptable solution for the young kids out there. On a personal level it’s obviously hugely hurtful, considering the last 12 months especially.‘
Earps decision to take on the public battle with Nike only increased pressure for the goalkeeper to deliver at the World Cup.
Nike eventually caved under public pressure, with a petition having been launched to demand the production of Earps’ shirt. The green long-sleeved Lionesses shirt was ultimately released, only for it to sell out in five minutes.
Earps, known for posting dancing TikToks to her 1million followers, was the favourite to win the SPOTY top prize after starring at the World Cup for the Lionesses, conceding just four goals in their run the final and winning the Golden Glove trophy.
The goalie was on a six-person shortlist for the main award alongside cricketer Stuart Broad, athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett, jockey Frankie Dettori and golfer Rory McIlroy.
Broad was announced as the runner-up to the England number one, while Johnson-Thompson finished third.
Earps is the second straight Lioness to win Sports Personality of the Year after team-mate Beth Mead earned the prize last year, and the third consecutive woman to come out on top, with Emma Raducanu winning it back in 2021 off the back of her unexpected US Open victory.
After picking up the award from ice dancers Torvill and Dean, Earps said on stage: ‘I’d like to say how humbled I am to be on a list of such incredible athletes… sport is a fantastic thing where it brings the world together, to hear you guys talk about your journeys, I think it’s unbelievable.
‘Thanks for voting for me, everybody who voted for me… this is the ultimate all-round sporting accolade. It’s not been the easiest journey and I definitely wouldn’t be here today without a number of incredible people.
‘Thank you so much to my teammates and coaches, I wouldn’t be here without you all’
The shot stopper was voted as England Women’s Player of the Year and helped Manchester United finish second in the Women’s Super League last season with 14 clean sheets.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
