I read Marina Hyde’s article with interest (So what is it about the brilliant, victorious sportswoman Mary Earps that bovine men just can’t abide?, 22 December). I did not agree with Mary Earps winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023, although perhaps not for the same reason as Piers Morgan.
I’ve always thought that the winner should be someone who has really achieved in their field, and although Earps is an outstanding goalkeeper and a member of a good football team, both the team and she as an individual did not achieve this year. They did not win the Women’s World Cup, and although she has been celebrated for saving Jenni Hermoso’s penalty, that’s hardly enough to qualify her. I suspect there was an element of sympathy for her, due to the debacle over her shirt, when replicas of it were initially not sold.
I thought it was a shame that the heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson came third; her achievement, a gold at the world championship, is a true reflection of someone at the top of their game.
It is always difficult to select someone from a successful team for an individual award, but had the selecting panel who chose the shortlist wished to do that, a more appropriate contender might have been Katie Archibald from the successful, gold-winning women’s pursuit cycling team.
Helen Bennett
Asturias, Spain
• As a middle-aged white man, I had conflicting emotions when I read Marina Hyde’s article. First was a feeling of apathy, as I don’t care who wins. Then I discovered that Mary Earps plays for Manchester United and felt horror that anyone who plays for that club should win anything.
Finally, Ms Hyde reminded us of Earps’ penalty save and the ensuing foul-mouthed celebration, at which point I realised that the award was fully deserved.
David Hyde
Kettering, Northamptonshire
• The award for Mary Earps isn’t just an inspiration for girls and women, but also for goalkeepers across all those sports lucky enough to need them. We take enough stick as it is. Surely no one with a modicum of common sense could begrudge this accolade for Mary, a great ambassador for goalkeepers everywhere.
Jon Shepherd
Cologne, Germany
• Marina Hyde tars all men with the same brush. I am a 63-year-old man and voted for Mary Earps. She is an inspiration for women and girls.
David Cromarty
Durham
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