Mary Earps

Mary Alexandra Earps is an English professional footballer born on March 7, 1993, in Nottingham. She currently plays as a goalkeeper for London City Lionesses in the Women's Super League and serves as one of the most prominent figures in women's football. Standing at 5'8" and weighing 150 lbs, Earps has established herself as a defensive anchor through a career defined by resilience, high-profile transfers, and record-breaking individual accolades. She was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to the sport.

Her journey began far from the spotlight, but she climbed through ranks at Doncaster Belles and Bristol Academy before making waves at Birmingham City and Reading. A stint in France with PSG and Germany's VfL Wolfsburg further honed her skills against some of Europe's toughest strikers. The international stage became her true proving ground when she earned her first senior cap for England in 2017. By the time the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup rolled around, Earps had evolved into a leader, serving as vice captain for the national team. Her performance in Australia and New Zealand redefined expectations for the position, leading to historic achievements that cemented her legacy.[edit]

Mary Earps grew up in Nottingham within a working-class family where early aspirations did not initially center on professional sports. Her childhood was marked by a strong interest in athletics, but she faced significant setbacks early in her career. Scouts rejected her from youth academies because they believed she was too short and lacked the physical build required for a goalkeeper. This rejection stung, yet it fueled her determination to prove them wrong.

She attended Loughborough University, where she studied Sports Science while balancing academic pursuits with semi-professional football. During her time at the university, she played for the Loughborough Students FC team while refining the technical skills that would later define her elite career. Before achieving fame, she played for local clubs such as Doncaster Belles and Bristol Academy, honing her craft in the lower tiers of English women's football. These years were essential for building the mental toughness she would later display on the world stage.

The breakthrough finally came when she joined Birmingham City in 2014. This move allowed her to break into the FA Women's Premier League National Division. Her performances there caught the eye of scouts, leading to a transfer to Reading FC in 2016. At Reading, she became a regular starter and helped the club secure promotion to the FA Women's Super League. This period solidified her reputation as a reliable shot-stopper ready for the top flight.[edit]

Earps' career trajectory is characterized by steady progression through English clubs, a stint in continental Europe, and a return to the WSL as a veteran leader. In 2018, she joined Manchester United, where she solidified her reputation as one of the league's best goalkeepers. She won the FA WSL Goalkeeper of the Year award multiple times during this period, specifically in 2019, 2020, and 2021. A pivotal year arrived in 2022 when she captained Manchester United to the FA Cup final and continued to serve as vice-captain for the national team.

2022 proved to be a banner year for her international career. She played a crucial role in England's victory at the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, keeping clean sheets against Germany and Spain in the knockout stages. Her performance earned her a spot in the UEFA Women's Euro Team of the Tournament, along with honors such as the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year and the FWA Women's Footballer of the Year. The defining moment of her career arrived in 2023 at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. She won the Golden Glove award for the tournament's best goalkeeper, becoming the first English goalkeeper to ever win the honor.

This dominant performance propelled her to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, making her the first female footballer to win the honor since 1996. In 2024, she transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France on July 1, aiming to compete at the highest level in European club football. After nearly 100 games over five seasons across her previous English clubs, she sought new challenges in France. In June 2026, after leaving PSG, Earps signed a two-year deal with London City Lionesses. She expressed hope that the move would allow her to be more competitive on the pitch and help the team close in on Champions League qualification. Her induction into the Loughborough University Hall of Fame also stands as a testament to her enduring impact on the sport.[edit]

Earps is portrayed in the media as a resilient, authentic, and vocal advocate for women's rights in football. Her signature style includes her distinctive goalkeeper gloves and her emotional celebrations, which often go viral. She is known for her "no-nonsense" attitude and her willingness to speak out against inequality. The media often highlights her authenticity, particularly during controversies like the book backlash, where she chose to address critics directly rather than remain silent. Her quotes, such as "I'm unapologetically me," reflect her stance on authenticity and have become synonymous with her brand.[edit]

Mary Earps commands a massive, digitally-native following that spans the globe, anchored by her authentic connection with supporters who crave behind-the-scenes access to her career. Her Instagram presence, boasting hundreds of thousands of followers, serves as the primary hub where fans engage with her personal insights and updates, creating a community that feels intimate despite its sheer scale. While enthusiasts often refer to themselves collectively under the broader banner of the Lionesses, there is no formal sub-fandom name exclusively dedicated to Earps, nor are there documented rituals or fan-funded projects like billboards specific to her alone. The culture surrounding her is defined by digital engagement through official channels rather than organized collectives with unique identities. This widespread popularity places her firmly in the global consciousness, though iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated her profile without assigning her a current placement in the published rankings. The scope of her recognition is evident in her status as a household name in women's football, driven by iconic moments that have transcended the sport itself. From her legendary "Mary, Queen of Stops" reputation during Euro 2022 to her historic FIFA World Goalkeeper Award win, she has become a central figure in modern sports history. Her narrative has evolved significantly in recent years, incorporating complex chapters such as her retirement from international duty and her high-profile return to the Women's Super League with London City Lionesses. These events have reshaped her legacy from an untouchable icon to a dynamic figure navigating a post-retirement path. Despite this deep cultural integration and her MBE honor, iFANN does not currently list her within the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. Her fame rests on genuine, sustained engagement and a career defined by resilience rather than transient viral spikes.[edit]

Mary Earps was initially rejected by several youth academies because scouts believed she was too short to be a successful goalkeeper, a narrative she has since overturned. Her distinctive goalkeeper gloves often feature unique designs that become collectibles among fans. A significant cultural moment occurred in early 2026 when her autobiography faced criticism for its candid nature. Earps' response, acknowledging the "tough lessons" learned, became a talking point in sports journalism. Fans refer to themselves as "The Lionesses" collectively, though there is no specific sub-fandom name exclusively for Earps. Her social media following is massive, with 783K followers on Instagram and significant engagement on X (Twitter), where she shares behind-the-scenes content and personal insights.

A notable iconic moment was her penalty save in the Euro 2022 semi-final against Germany, a recurring story told by fans highlighting her clutch ability under pressure. Another legendary moment was her performance in the 2023 World Cup, particularly her saves against Japan and Spain. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being the first female footballer to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year since 1996, breaking a long-standing gender barrier in the award's history. Her autobiography, Unapologetically Me, generated significant interest despite the controversy surrounding its release.[edit]

Mary Earps maintains a relatively private personal life compared to her public sporting achievements. While she has spoken about her working-class upbringing in Nottingham, she keeps details about her parents and siblings out of the public eye. There are no confirmed reports of marriage or children. Public records and media coverage indicate she is single. She has focused heavily on her career, her advocacy for mental health, and her business ventures. In early 2026, she addressed backlash regarding her autobiography, stating she "learned some tough lessons," but did not disclose details of any romantic partners in those discussions. [edit]

Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, London City Lionesses, England National Team, Loughborough University. [edit]

Mary Earps is known for maintaining a relatively private personal life compared to her public sporting achievements. As of 2026, there are no confirmed reports of marriage or children. Public records and media coverage indicate she is single. While there have been occasional rumors regarding her dating life, none have been substantiated by credible sources or confirmed by Earps herself. She has focused heavily on her career, her advocacy for mental health, and her business ventures. In early 2026, she addressed backlash regarding her autobiography, stating she "learned some tough lessons," but did not disclose details of any romantic partners in those discussions. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Mary Earps' net worth at approximately $3 million. This figure reflects her earnings from salary, endorsements, and book sales as of 2026. Her financial growth stems from her time at Manchester United, where she commanded one of the highest salaries in the Women's Super League. The 2023 World Cup prize money and subsequent MBE recognition further boosted her income potential.

Endorsement deals with major sportswear brands like Nike and EA Sports contribute significantly to her wealth. Revenue from her autobiography, Unapologetically Me, also adds to her portfolio despite the controversy surrounding its release. Real estate holdings are assumed to exist in the UK and potentially France from her PSG tenure, though no specific listings have been widely reported. Some speculative articles suggest higher figures, but these lack concrete verification. Estimates range between $1.5 million and $2.5 million USD based on celebrity sources, while others place her closer to $3 million USD by mid-2026 factoring in her new contract with London City Lionesses.[edit]

Mary Earps has accumulated a prestigious list of awards, cementing her status as a global icon. She won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023, becoming the first female footballer to win the honor since 1996. Her performance at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup earned her the Golden Glove Award. In 2022, she received the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year and FWA Women's Footballer of the Year awards. She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to football. [edit]