‘Nike know they got this wrong’ – Lionesses & Man Utd goalkeeper Mary Earps takes aim at England shirt manufacturers after World Cup sale ‘injustice’

That rather baffling decision was taken ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with a loyal legion of Lionesses fans unable to show their support for Earps. The Manchester United star went on to win the Golden Glove at that tournament as Sarina Wiegman’s side came up narrowly short in the final against Spain.

Nike have since released Earps’ shirt – leading to it selling out in a matter of minutes – and the 30-year-old shot-stopper has told Sky News when asked if Nike have learned their lesson in a saga that never needed to play out: “Definitely. I would like to think so, I've been speaking to Nike quite a bit over the course of the year. On this topic, they know that they got this wrong and that's why they've done this correction - a big company like Nike, they wouldn't do that if they didn't know it wasn't right and that there was an injustice there.

"They did the right thing and, really, I can't thank the public enough for their support and, really, we wouldn't be in this position without it. I was really 'umm-ing and ah-ing' whether to use my voice and to speak on it or not - I thought I was just speaking for a niche of goalkeepers, but it turned out to be support from a group of much wider group of people. I think from that, collectively, we've really changed the world, so thank you to everyone.”

Earps has continued to see her stock soar as more individual recognition comes her way. She has taken on the captain’s armband with England at times – in the absence of Mille Bright – and is favourite to win the prestigious BBC Sport’s Personality of the Year Award in 2023.

Nottingham native Earps has seen a tram named after her in the city that she grew up in, while also receiving an honorary doctorate from Loughborough University – with her exploits on and off the field earning widespread acclaim.