Mary Earps

Mary Earps is an English professional goalkeeper whose remarkable journey from part-time football to European champion, World Cup finalist, and global role model has inspired a generation.

Mary Earps: Early Life and Football Beginnings

Mary Alexandra Earps was born on March 7, 1993, in Nottingham, England. She began playing football at around the age of eight and joined her local team, where her interest in goalkeeping developed alongside her love of the game.

At 14, she joined Leicester City after attending trials with the club. Her early years were not always easy, but they taught her the value of persistence and helped her build the foundations for a career that would eventually reach the highest levels of world football.

At 17, Earps made her senior debut for Doncaster Rovers Belles in the inaugural season of the Women’s Super League. She also earned her first professional contract with Reading, beginning a club career that would take her across England and Germany.

Before joining Manchester United, she played for Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Birmingham City, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Reading, and VfL Wolfsburg. Each stop contributed to her development, exposing her to different coaching styles, competitive environments, and expectations.

Her time at Wolfsburg was especially important. Playing for one of Europe’s leading clubs, she won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2018–19, gaining experience in high-pressure matches and learning what it takes to compete for major trophies.

Earps also balanced football with education. She graduated from Loughborough University in 2016 with a degree in information management and business studies, showing that her ambitions extended beyond the football pitch.

Mary Earps England Career and Major Achievements

Mary Earps made her senior England debut in June 2017, but her international career did not follow a straight path. She spent nearly two years outside the national-team picture before Sarina Wiegman became England head coach in 2021 and gave her a renewed opportunity.

Under Wiegman, Earps became England’s first-choice goalkeeper. She started the first seven matches of Wiegman’s tenure and established herself as a reliable presence in goal, combining strong shot-stopping with calm distribution and confident communication.

At UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, Earps played every match as England won their first major women’s trophy. The tournament was a landmark moment for English football, and her performances helped the Lionesses lift the European Championship trophy on home soil.

At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Earps played every minute of England’s seven matches. She conceded only four goals and won the Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper, cementing her reputation as one of the world’s elite keepers.

Her most famous moment came in the final against Spain, when she saved Jenni Hermoso’s penalty. Although England lost 1–0, Earps’ save became one of the defining images of the tournament and demonstrated her ability to perform under enormous pressure.

She served as England’s vice-captain at the World Cup and made 53 senior appearances for her country across eight years. Her leadership, humor, and openness made her one of the most popular figures in the Lionesses squad.

Earps received numerous individual honors. She was named England Women’s Player of the Year, BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, and BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023. She also won The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award in both 2022 and 2023, becoming the first goalkeeper to win the award twice.

In May 2025, she announced her retirement from international football. Her decision came shortly before Euro 2025, after Hannah Hampton was selected as England’s first-choice goalkeeper, but it did not diminish the extraordinary impact Earps had made on the national team.

Mary Earps Club Career and New Chapter

Earps joined Manchester United in 2019 and spent five highly successful seasons at the club. She made more than 100 appearances, became a fan favorite, and helped transform United into one of the leading teams in the Women’s Super League.

During the 2022–23 season, she recorded 14 clean sheets in the league and won the WSL Golden Glove. Her consistency played a key role in Manchester United finishing second and qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time.

In 2024, she helped United win the Women’s FA Cup, the club’s first major trophy. The victory was a significant milestone for both Earps and the club, confirming her status as one of the most important players in United’s women’s football history.

After leaving Manchester United in 2024, Earps joined Paris Saint-Germain. She spent two seasons in France, made 54 appearances in all competitions, and continued to compete at a high level in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

In 2026, she returned to English football by signing for London City Lionesses. The move reflected her desire for a new challenge and her belief that she still had much to contribute to the game.

Earps has also expanded her influence beyond football. She published her autobiography, All In, in 2025, offering an honest account of her career, setbacks, identity, and determination to succeed. She became the first female professional footballer to receive a waxwork at Madame Tussauds in London.

Mary Earps Legacy and Lasting Influence

Mary Earps’ legacy extends far beyond trophies and individual awards. She helped change perceptions of goalkeeping in women’s football, showing that goalkeepers deserve recognition as leaders, athletes, and decisive match-winners.

Her advocacy for greater visibility and respect for women’s sport has also been influential. During the 2023 World Cup, she publicly challenged Nike after the company initially did not sell a replica version of her goalkeeper shirt, sparking an important conversation about equality in sports retail.

Earps’ story is especially powerful because it includes setbacks as well as success. She was dropped from the England setup, faced doubts about her future, and had to rebuild her confidence before becoming one of the most decorated goalkeepers in the world.

Her journey shows that resilience is not about avoiding difficulty but about responding to it with determination. From local football in Nottingham to European glory and World Cup recognition, she has proven that persistence can transform a career.

As she continues her club career with London City Lionesses, Mary Earps remains a role model for young goalkeepers and athletes everywhere. Her achievements, honesty, and courage have left a lasting mark on English football and on the global women’s game.