Mary Earps wins Golden Glove but fans still can't buy her official shirt

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, She won the Golden Glove award, but Nike still don't sell a Mary Earps keeper shirt for fans to buy.

England may not have won the Women's World Cup but keeper Mary Earps lived up to her nickname, Mary Queen of Stops, conceding just four goals in the entire tournament

Mary was best goalie of 2022, and has won the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper of the 2023 Women's World Cup.

But since before the Cup some players, celebs and fans have been angry on social media that Earps' replica shirts were not available. Some fans have even resorted to making their own versions.

Nike, who make the shirts, released a statement on Sunday saying they would work "towards solutions for other tournaments" with no mention of an Earps shirt for this World Cup.

Why can't you buy an official Earps shirt?

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, Goal-saving machine! Mary Queen of Stops in action

England's kit for this summer's World Cup was manufactured by Nike.

Fans have been able to buy replica Home and Away shirts of other Lionesses, but Nike do not sell goalkeeper replica kits for either the England women or men's teams.

In a new statement Nike said they "understand the desire" to buy a goalkeeper's jersey and they were "working towards solutions with for future tournaments, in partnership with Fifa and the federations".

They also said "the fact that there's a conversation on this topic is testament to the continued passion and energy around the women's game and we believe that's encouraging".

What does Mary think about the shirt situation?

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Earps saving the penalty taken by Jenni Hermoso of Spain in the 2023 World Cup final.

Mary Earps said in July that Nike's decision not to sell her keeper shirt was "disappointing" and "hurtful".

What have players and celebrities said about the Earps shirt?

Former England men's goalkeeper David Seaman posted: "Bet @Nike are regretting not selling the #maryearps shirt now" with an eye-roll emoji.

Gabby Logan, 大象传媒 Sport presenter throughout the World Cup said: "She will have inspired so many little girls to go out and try and be a keeper in the back garden. Let's hope that one day they can go and buy her shirts... That's the next move."

Former swimming world champion Karen Pickering wrote on social media "Loved seeing Mary Earps winning the Golden Glove. Can we buy her shirt yet???"

Fans take Earps shirt matter into their own hands

Image source, Contributed

Image caption, Football fan Emmy got to meet her idol Mary Earps

Fans of the legendary keeper have been making noise on social media asking Nike: "Where can I buy a Mary Earps shirt?"

One fan, 16-year old Emmy, started her own online petition to ask Nike to "rethink their decision".

The petition received 70,000 signatures of support.

Emmy said: "Mary and all female goalkeepers, we love and respect you. You are inspirational and we are behind you."

Image source, @georgierechner/ TikTok

Image caption, Some fans have taken to wearing their own homemade Earps football shirts

As well as this, a record label has created an unofficial Mary Earps goalkeeper shirt.

Jack Clothier, who runs the company, said he thought it was a "ridiculous oversight" the Women's England goalkeeper kit had not been available to buy.

"But they continued to not make the shirt, despite the fact that she was, in my opinion, the player of the tournament," he said.

"So we said, if you don't make it, we will."

Profits from the shirt will be donated to Football Without Borders, a charity that uses sport to help empower disadvantaged communities.

Image source, Alcopop

Image caption, The unofficial shirt design. Mary Earps wore a green kit in the Women's World Cup Final, but in previous games in the tournament it was pink

If Mary Earps is your player of the Cup, remember to vote for her as your Lioness of the tournament.

What else did Nike say about Mary Earps replica shirts?

The company said: "Nike is committed to women's football and we're excited by the passion around this year's tournament and the incredible win by the Lionesses to make it into the final.

"We are proudly offering the best of Nike innovation and services to our federation partners and hundreds of athletes."

Newsround has asked Nike if they plan to make replica Earps shirts available for this tournament - we are yet to hear back.

Let us know what you think about this situation in the comments.