Tuesday night saw the celebration of not just another 12 months across all British sports but 70 years of the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and the full list of winners for 2023 is much longer than just one name.
A total of eight different awards were handed on out the glamorous night over Salford Quays’ MediaCityUK hub, with some big characters and lesser-known faces receiving some much-deserved recognition for their contribution to sport over the past year.
The Manc had the honour of going along this year and it was plain to see just by chatting to some of the nominees, past winners, former athletes and other guests how special an occasion the annual award ceremony is — especially now it’s back here in Manchester for the foreseeable.
This year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award winners
Let’s start off with our winner of the titular award itself:
Sports Personality of the Year 2023 — Mary Earps
It couldn’t have been anyone else really, could it? Mary ‘Queen of Stops’ Earps rounded a huge year or so for her and women’s football in general with yet another personal accolade that she was quick to insist wouldn’t have been possible without her teammates and the support from her family.
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Here’s what the Manchester United keeper and Lionesses hero had to say after lifting the iconic piece of silverware:
Your 2023 Sports Personality of the Year and @Lionesses hero, Mary Earps, with a New Year’s message we can all get behind. 👏❤️
Young Sports Personality of the Year — Mia Brookes
The Young ‘SPOTY’ award for 2023 went to snowboarding superstar Mia Brookes, who became the youngest world champion in snowboarding history when she won slopestyle gold in February, Britain’s first-ever in the event, before adding to that a silver at the World Cup in Laax and a big air bronze in Chur back in October.
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Still only 16, the Cheshire-born athlete has quite the career ahead of her.
At the age of 16, she was the youngest ever snowboard world champion, and now Mia Brookes is the Young Sports Personality of the Year 🏆
This year’s Lifetime Achievement award went to none other than footballing legend King ‘Kenny’ Dalglish, who was recognised for his decades of dedication to the sport, English football, work with Liverpool and crucial role at the club in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster.
An icon in Merseyside and across the North West in general, he’s one of the greatest players the UK has ever produced and although his speech was filled with plenty of humour, there was also plenty of emotion on stage as he touched on his past teammates, loved ones and gratitude for the award.
In a similar vein, British athletics legend Fatima Whitbread also took home the Helen Rollason Award, an accolade awarded to individuals for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity: something the champion javelin thrower knows all about as she continues her incredible campaign for children.
Speaking passionately about the award named after the BBC Sports presenter and friend, as well as her experience of the care home system, calling for “fundamental change” to ensure the next generation is “safer, happier and healthier”. Hear, hear.
Next up on the night was a multi-discipline award recognizing remarkable work in the community through sport and that honour went to none other than one Des Smith, the chairman of Sheffield Caribbean Sports Club: a safe haven for young people which offers five cricket teams and eight junior football sides as well as netball and hockey teams.
Throughout his time running the club, he has strived to improve race relations and understanding through the club, as well as helping educate locals on the importance of the Windrush generation. An emotional moment for everyone.
Our Unsung Hero award winner is holding back the tears 🥹
Having helped found the Sheffield Caribbean Sports Club in 1986, Des Smith has made it his life's mission to support and raise up the people within his community.#BBCSPOTYpic.twitter.com/cSxzBLqWC4
Manchester City pick up another treble at the Sports Personality of the Year Awards
Last but not least, it was no surprise to see Manchester City‘s incredible treble-winning campaign recognised at SPOTY 2023 and it was only fitting that such a feat was met with yet another trio of trophies.
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Taking home Club of the Year and Team of the Year, as well as Erling Haaland predictably winning World Sports Star for his own record-breaking season, you could say there was quite a big blue moon over Salford Quays on the night.
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
Sport
Wigan Warriors finally reveal next season’s kits following update on delayed release
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors have now officially revealed their new shirts for next season, following a much-anticipated update regarding the 2026 kits, the release of which had been delayed.
The Greater Manchester club lost this year’s Grand Final but still had a strong season, and with another local outfit having been relegated from the division, they are one of just two teams from the region competing for the title in the upcoming campaign.
However, supporters were fretting that they might not be able to get their new threads until after Christmas due to the launch of the latest merchandise being postponed.
Thankfully, this week, the club not only informed fans that things are getting back on schedule but also officially revealed the Wigan Warriors home and away shirt strips for the 30th anniversary edition of the Super League on Tuesday afternoon.
As you can see, the nearby rugby outfit is staying with Kappa as their manufacturer and, as ever, is sticking with the deep red, white and black colour combos across both jerseys.
Branding the home shirt as the ‘Loyal’ fit and the away one as their ‘Rebel’ version, the kits both feature horizontal stripes and other geometrical variations.
Most notably, Warriors now have a positive update on the status of the kits’ full launch, even if they don’t have an exact timeline just yet.
Writing to fans in an official statement, the club said: “Wigan Warriors are happy to report that [we are] expecting delivery of the 2026 home and away kits imminently.”
They go on to explain that they have been “experiencing significant delays” regarding the supply pipeline, which they say “were beyond the control of the Club.”
Nevertheless, the cogs are moving once again; you can see a closer look at some of the details below.
The home shirt…A.K.A. ‘Loyal’ kitAnd the away jersey…Or ‘Rebel’ strip
Warriors Chief Executive, Kris Radlinski, continued: “We want to thank everyone for their patience and continued support. Due to issues outside of our control, delivery timelines have unfortunately been impacted.
“We understand how frustrating this has been for supporters, particularly so close to Christmas, and we genuinely share that frustration. Please be assured that our team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure delivery as quickly as possible.
“We apologise that we have not been able to provide an earlier update while matters were ongoing. We are pleased to confirm that the delivery has now cleared customs and will be arriving at the Club imminently.”
Although personalisation will not yet be made available due to a focus on processing “as many orders as possible in the shortest time frame”, pre-orders for both shirts are now live, and those interested are being urged to opt for click and collect/visit in store where possible to avoid any further waiting.
Danny Jones -
20th December 2023 
