Real life of Sports Personality of the Year nominee Mary Earps - nearly quitting football, her battle with Nike and property business

She's been dubbed "Mary Queen of Stops", has been named the world's best goalkeeper and is now a bona fide national treasure after this summer's World Cup - but just four years ago Mary Earps was sitting on her kitchen floor in tears. The star was ready to give up after being left out of the England squad, her international football career seemingly in tatters.

How things have changed. Her decision to fight on proved an inspired one and the woman affectionately known as "Mearps" became a world beater who is inspiring the next generation.

Now 30, she played a key role for England's Lionesses at this summer's World Cup in Australia and is also having success with her club Manchester United.

It's all led to her being in the running for Sports Personality of the Year 2023 - but how did she get here? Read on to find out more about her life.

Mary Earps, the eldest of three children, was born in March 1993 to parents Julie and David, who run hairdressing and food businesses. She grew up in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire and has spoken of how she was always keen to forge her own path.

She said her parents would encourage her to try different activities, including badminton, swimming, judo and dancing. She doesn't think she was "very good" at everything but remembers: "My dad used to say, ‘Don’t knock it till you try it,’ so I’d give it a go."

Earps enjoyed sports while growing up and began playing football when she was eight and would kick a ball about in the garden with her brother. Her dad took her to West Bridgford Colts girls' team at the age of ten, where she realised she was good when she saved a penalty.

She always had the confidence to shout at the defenders in her team - a quality fans now adore her for and something