Mary Earps has savaged sportswear giants Nike over their refusal to manufacture replica women’s goalkeeping shirts.

The Lionesses’ No.1 described the situation as ‘hugely disappointing and very hurtful', in a no-holds-barred rant against the iconic global brand. Earps is furious that, despite several personal approaches, Nike remain committed to their policy of not re-producing the keepers’ jersey.

Back in 2108, the American firm signed a mammoth 12-year deal, worth £400m, with the Football Association to be the country’s official kit supplier. Coming on the back of the row over bonus payments, this is a huge embarrassment to the FA with one of England’s top women players laying into a principal commercial backer.Asked if it bothered her that her shirt was not for sale, Earps said: “I can’t sugar-coat this in any way, so I’m not going to try - it’s hugely disappointing and very hurtful. I’ve been fighting this behind closed doors - trying to go through the correct channels, desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and Nike.

“Unfortunately, it has become very evident that it is not possible and there is not going to be an acceptable solution. On a personal level, it’s obviously hugely hurtful - considering the last 12 months especially - and I think there has been an incredible rise in goalkeeping participation over the past year.

“I go into grassroots clubs. I used to be asked to bribe people to go in goal. I’ve been into clubs recently and that’s not been the case. A lot of that has come off the back of the Euros - but also some of my success this year.“For my own family and friends not to be able to buy my shirt, they’re wearing normal clothes - on a personal level, it’s hard. All of my teammates have ordered shirts for their friends and family. They’re talking about it at our dinner table, saying; ‘I wasn’t able to get this,’ and I’m thinking to myself, ‘Well, I can’t get it at all.’“There are people who have spent a tremendous amount of money on outfield shirts and then put ‘Earps 1’ on the back. That doesn’t sit well with me, either.

"You know, Millie Bright spoke to me a couple of weeks ago and said: ‘Mary, my niece is desperate to get your shirt, where can I get it?’ I replied: ‘You can’t, it doesn’t exist.’ "I think that’s a huge problem. I think a scary message is being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that they are not important.”

Earps even offered to fabricate and sell her own version of the kit but was thwarted by red tape. She has asked Nike for an explanation and was told that it wasn’t part of the company’s commercial strategy to promote goalkeepers.

It is not the first time this has happened, either. It was also an issue before the Euros last year. While Nike do offer a limited amount of Jordan Pickford ’s replica jersey, there is no such provision made for the women.Earps also contested the assertion that there was no demand after approaching her club, Manchester United, to see what the sales figures were.

She added: “My shirt on the Manchester United website was sold out last season. It was the third best-selling shirt. Who says it’s not selling? I’m most concerned about the kids. They’re going to say: ‘Mum, dad, can I have Mary Earps’ shirt?’ They’ll reply, ‘I can’t get you one - but you can have Alessia Russo 23 or Rachel Daly 9.’

“What you’re saying is that goalkeeping isn’t important - you can be a striker, though. That’s why the participation rate is so much lower. You’re excluding a huge part of the demographic.

“I’ve discussed it with the other keepers. As a whole goalkeeping union, we are tremendously disappointed. But I think the rest of the girls are, as well.“I temperature-checked it with Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy and a few others and asked: ‘Am I over-reacting here?’ They said: ‘No, it’s absolutely unacceptable. As a group, we stand for inclusion and this is the total opposite of that.’

“They also asked why we are aligning ourselves with brands that don’t have inclusion at the heart of what they do. Hopefully after the World Cup, we can pick up those conversations and, in line with the contracts being restructured, maybe we can have more of a say.

“I don’t think anyone’s bottom line should be rewarded for bad behaviour. I think the best thing that can come out of this situation is that there’s a commitment it won’t happen again.”

Nike have been contacted for a comment but have so far not replied.