Sport

Mary Earps wins Lionesses Player of the Year award

It was never going to be anyone else, was it?

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 20th September 2023

England Women’s and Manchester United keeper Mary Earps has won the Lionesses Player of the Year award following her incredible showing at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The Lionesses‘ heroic number one, who produced one of the most unforgettable moments in British sport with her penalty save in the World Cup final this past August, has been magnificent throughout the season and so it was little surprise the supporters voted her the winner of this year’s award.

With a Golden Glove in the World Cup to her name already, not to mention a FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award earlier this year for her efforts in the previous season and the Lionesses’ magnificent Euros win, she’s had a 12 months full of accolades.

Defenders Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood came in second and third, respectively, and team captain Millie Bright had the honour of surprising her with this one.

Representing her country 16 times in the last year, the 30-year-old shot-stopper has been a brick wall at the back for Sarina Wiegman’s side more often than not, even managing to keep three clean sheets at the World Cup — no small feat.

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As Bright said when handing her the award, “I could not be prouder to present this to you. You deserve it more than anyone. Honestly, you’ve carried the cart, pulled out some unbelievable saves when we’ve needed you the most and that, for me, is what the ultimate teammate does and the ultimate pro [does]”.

Aside from her performances on the pitch as well, Earps became an emblem for fans of the women’s game and equality in sport, in general, with the whole country rallying behind her following the Nike goalkeeper kit controversy.

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After refusing to sell the shirts of female goalies throughout the tournament, the Man United keeper called the company out for essentially telling little girls who dreamed up growing up to be footballers that the position doesn’t matter as much as others. Following a huge uproar in the UK and beyond, they finally caved and saw sense.

Nike finally agree to sell Mary Earps’ Lionesses shirt after backlash

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Capped 41 times in total, Earps is named in the Lionesses’ Nations League squad as they prepare to take on Scotland this Friday before a trip to Utrecht to play the Netherlands on Tuesday, 26 September.

Whilst we’re here, we’ll take any excuse to relive this moment that will forever be embedded in the nation’s memory.

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Featured Image — Mary Earps (via Instagram)

Sport

2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Marathon raises millions for city economy and local charity

Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.

This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.

As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.

Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.

The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.

Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie. 

Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.

Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.

The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.

Fundraising from the Manchester Marathon is one of it’s biggest upshots.

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This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.

This was a 20% increase on 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.

With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons. 

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Adidas Manchester Marathon/The Manc Group

Sport

‘Enough is enough’: Marcus Rashford calls out fans for ‘months’ of abuse

Danny Jones Danny Jones Marcus Rashford responds to fan abuse: 'enough is enough'

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has put his foot down in a social media post, calling for an end to ‘months of abuse’ from both his own supporters and beyond.

It’s fair to say that the 26-year-old hasn’t been enjoying his best season in a United shirt and while he has had his moments this year – his goal against Arsenal and stunning opener in the Manchester derby, just to name a couple – he’s come under a lot of pressure from supporters.

Rashford previously came out to address the situation in a Players Tribune interview back in February, stating, “I can’t have people questioning my commitment to Man United”, but now the England international has reiterated the point after someone came to his defence on X.

Quoting a fan who wrote that “the way Marcus Rashford is being treated is absolutely disgusting”, calling the behaviour online and on matchdays in some cases as “cruel” and downright abuse”, he responded by declaring: “Enough is enough”.

Rashford breaks his silence on the recent abuse.

The Wythenshawe winger has already labelled doubts over his effort levels, love and loyalty to the club “ridiculous”, reiterating time and time again that he’s a boyhood Red, but that hasn’t stopped people continuing to criticise him online.

Sadly, while he’s also insisted that he “can take criticism” and headlines when his performances aren’t quite up to scratch, the negativity hasn’t just been limited to social media and has been spilling out into the matchday stands.

Reports of Rashford being booed off the pitch by his own supporters at Wembley during United’s admittedly chaotic performance against Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final were confirmed by multiple sources at the time.

Although he didn’t comment on the response from the travelling Reds at the time, it’s now clear he was abundantly aware of the frosty reception as he was substituted, with many within the fan base and beyond calling the decision to boo your own players “classless” and “shameful”.

Many have drawn parallels to Harry Maguire’s treatment in recent years.

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With seven goals and five assists to his name across all competitions this season, it’s fair to say Marcus Rashford has been a far cry away from the heights he has managed to hit in recent years.

It was only last season that he hit a career-high record of 40 goal contributions, sitting as one of the most prolific players in all of Europe during another difficult season for the club, even managing to surpass club legend Andy Cole’s record.

Just goes to show how short people’s memories can really be – especially when it comes to football – and Erik ten Hag has already urged patience from his fans when it comes to his players, and not just his number ten.

‘The Beautiful Game’ is and always will be a fickle sport but it’s worth reminding of just how much the academy product has already delivered during his time at Man United. Anyone can have a tough season.

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Featured Images — Manchester United (via Instagram)

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