'Wow' - Man Utd and England goalkeeper Mary Earps reflects on 'incredible year' after winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year

The England goalkeeper has been partying and plastered across newspaper front pages since scooping the 70th edition of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award at Tuesday evening's star-studded ceremony. But on Friday she settled down to post some heartfelt thoughts on what it all means.

"A special night with special people, one I’ll never forget," Earps posted on Instagram. "I’ve taken a couple of days to try and take it all in, but wow.. to be nominated alongside such an incredible list of athletes was more than enough, let alone take home the trophy. An incredible way to round off an incredible year. Thank you to everyone who voted for me, I’m truly overwhelmed by your love and support.

"A fantastic evening celebrating another fantastic year of sport. Congratulations to Stuart Broad, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Alfie Hewett, Frankie [Dettori] and Rory [McIlroy] – to hear about your inspiring journeys and to be nominated alongside you is a true honour.

"Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and see you all in 2024."

Earps became the seventh footballer to win the award, following in the footsteps of Bobby Moore, Paul Gascoigne, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and fellow Lioness Beth Mead, who won last year's award.

The all-conquering goalkeeper has a few weeks off to refresh, recharge and decide exactly where she's going to put all the awards she's accumulated this year as the WSL takes it's winter break until the middle of next month.