It’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year time again and as the bookies have it at the moment, Lionesses star Mary Earps is odds on favourite to win the award this time around.
The England and Manchester United Women‘s goalkeeper has had a truly remarkable year, there’s no denying that, and has already swept up several other trophies and personal accolades over the past 18 months, let alone 12, so it’s no wonder she’s leading the race for Sports Personality of the Year as well.
Having recently added the BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year Award to her collection just last month, the news outlet and public service broadcaster has already made it clear how much of an impact she has had in her field this year and we all know how much of an icon she became this summer.
With that in mind, as per Oddschecker, various other comparison sites and pretty much every betting site in the country, bookmakers are tipping Earps as the favourite to win the Sports Personality of the Year for 2023. Just ‘Big Mearps’ things.
Earps is the current favourite to win Sports Personality of the Year.
Virtually every site we can find has the 30-year-old shot-stopper as a shoo-in for this year’s award, with gambling brand Betfair listing her as the 1/10 favourite to win yet another token of recognition from the BBC in the space of just a few weeks.
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With the full list of nominees revealed on Tuesday, the other names who made the shortlist for Sports Personality of the Year include legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, Irish golfer Rory McIlroy and England cricketer Stuart Broad, who is boasting the next best odds behind Mary Earps.
Having retired from the game following the Ashes this past July, he called it quits after becoming England’s second-leading Test bowler with 604 wickets to his name and is widely considered to be one of the best the country has ever produced — the award would be a fitting sign-off to a sparkling career.
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You can see the rest of the names in line to win it down below.
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 contenders…
🌟 Stuart Broad 🌟 Frankie Dettori 🌟 Mary Earps 🌟 Alfie Hewett 🌟 Katarina Johnson-Thompson 🌟 Rory McIlroy
However, it’s hard to overstate just how much impact Mary Earps has had not only in women’s football but across sports in general, not only giving the nation one of the best sporting memories ever with that incredible penalty save in the Women’s World Cup final, but going far beyond that as a public figure.
Having taken on Nike following their refusal to manufacture women’s keeper kits and winning, with her replica jersey selling out almost instantly, the Nottingham-born athlete stood up not only for fellow players in her position but the women’s game in general, having inspired countess youngsters to get into football ever since the Euros.
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We’d be happy to see any of the names on this year’s list of BBC Sports Personality of the Year nominees take home the award, but if you asked anyone who the first person who came to their mind as a standout star this past year, we reckon the vast majority would say Mary Earps.
Our money is on ‘Mary, Queen of Stops’ sweeping up yet another bit of silverware.
Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.
He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.
Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.
Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.
As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”
His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.
Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”
96 caps 🧢 Five major tournaments 🏴 A #ThreeLions legend ⭐
He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”
The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.
Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?
Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French out for around four months with major muscle injury
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors player Bevan French has unfortunately been ruled out for roughly four months following a fairly serious muscle injury.
An important playmaker and cog in the wider team, his absence will surely be felt.
French, 30, is said to have suffered a hamstring tear during the win over Toulouse Olympique this past weekend, and while not as severe as a full rupture, Bevan has now been told by the club he will be sidelined for approximately 16 weeks, according to head coach Matt Peet.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after learning the news, he provided a number of updates from the physio room, including the latest on Jai Field, who French had been filling in for at fullback.
While Wigan are currently leading the Super League once again, they will be without one of their key Warriors with just under a dozen games left in the season.
The Greater Manchester club’s quadruple-winning boss and former Coach of the Year admitted that, despite some obvious disappointments in the immediate aftermath, his “positive” and “philosophical” attitude has already kicked in.
He’s quite philosophical, Bevan. He quickly flips a switch.
“Now he knows the timeframe and the schedule for his recovery, like most professionals, he can get his head down now and focus on the present”, said the 41-year-old.
The Australian stand-off/fly-half has regularly run the show in red and white, and even amid periods out of the squad, he remains an understandable fan favourite and integral part of the team when fit.
You only need to hear pundits and peers alike describing him as a “special” talent to know how much of a big miss he’ll be.
As mentioned, Peet also shed more light on Field, who dropped out with appendicitis last week and is himself set for around four to five weeks away.
For now, youngster Noah Hodkinson is being given the chance to fill the void and work his way into the first team after regularly impressing in the reserves.
Nevertheless, they could have really done with him ahead of their upcoming games.
Domestically, all three of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens aren’t far behind them in the table, so it could prove to be a tasty remainder of the 2026 campaign.
You can watch the highlights from the result against Toulouse on Saturday, 7 March, here.
Danny Jones -
12th December 2023 
