Mary Earps and England fans can rejoice as the Lionesses goalkeeper’s long-awaited replica shirts didn’t just drop this week, they sold out within mere hours of going online.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was another brilliant tournament for the Lionesses, making it to their first-ever World Cup final and nearly going all the way. The only dampener on spirits at times was the Nike controversy surrounding women’s goalkeeper kits.
With the sports brand announcing that they would not be manufacturing any replicas of female keeper kits, despite several teams donning Nike at the Women’s World Cup and all outfield shirts being made available, Earps led the charge for them to reverse the decision and provide full representation.
After weeks of public outcry and the tournament ultimately ending, the company finally backed down and confirmed that a limited amount of the Golden Glove winner’s shirts would be made available to buy. Well, they best get restocking because they’re already gone — all of them.
Mary Earps’ England shirts sold out on the same day her TikTok hit 1 million followers. (Credit: Mary Earps via IG)
To absolutely no one’s surprise whatsoever given the fact that half the country spent the tournament banging the drum for them, Mary Earps’ goalkeeper shirts have now completely sold out on the official England store.
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Issuing a statement via her Instagram story, the 30-year-old shot-stopper said: “Didn’t realise these were going on sale today and you’ve sold them out already. More are coming before the end of the year in more sizes (kids and adults) — so stay tuned! Thank you for your incredible support on this, you guys have made this happen!”
The Man United‘s keeper’s club shirts were among the best-selling WSL shirts last season, so the demand was already there in spades, Nike just needed to pull their fingers out.
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All of this happened without any official announcement they had gone on sale and all in a matter of hours. If they need any reassurance as to why they should make more, that should be enough; as for what’s left, this is now the only Mary Earps shirt available online:
Here’s hoping other female goalkeepers get the recognition they are due by Nike.
With Earps having become not only the FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year last season but the Golden Glove Winner at the World Cup and the Lionesses Player of the Year, it’s safe to say she’s become a bit of an icon over the past 18 months or so.
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As for those of you who are looking to grab her kit, you’ll once again have to wait a while before you’re able to but at least they actually exist now.
Featured Image — Mary Earps (via Instagram)/England Store
Sport
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
10th October 2023 
