Mary Earps' trailblazing journey - telesales and England axe to brave Nike row
Lioness goalkeeper Mary Earps has proved all her doubters wrong and earned an impressive name for herself as the 'Queen of Stops' on the pitch - but it hasn't always been smooth sailing.
The 30-year-old athlete was awarded Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper in the World 2022, and now she's one of the top contenders to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023. Despite her incredible accolades, Mary has overcome a lot to be where she is today.
From hysterically crying on her kitchen floor to confronting sportswear giant Nike over its refusal to manufacture replica women's goalie shirts, we take a look at the England star's journey to success and the challenging moments that have shaped her to become the best of the best...
The England goalie almost gave up football after she didn't make it onto the team in 2020 (Elsa - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)Discovering football
It was during a kickabout in the garden with her dad and brother that the Nottingham-born ace decided she wanted to be a professional footballer. Mary joined a local team as a young child and her supportive parents took her to matches and training. "I was playing a local Saturday match and saved a penalty," she told GQ Magazine, explaining that was the moment she knew she had her sights set on being a keeper.
Her Manchester United coach, Chris Clark-Rossington, shared last year that he was convinced Mary would make it as a pro from the age of 10 because of her "constant commitment to every session". "You don't get that in a lot of female goalkeepers. She always wanted to be better," he said. "She was always striving to be better, she wanted to be number one, there was no doubt about it."
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Chris continued: "Mary has got it all. She left it all on the pitch as we say, and always gave it 100 percent. If it was raining, she would never complain, she wasn't bothered, she'd just be straight out on the pitch doing drills. She was very determined from a very young age. She wanted to make it as a footballer. She's one of the nicest footballers I've met and she deserves everything she's getting right now."
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Juggling six side jobs
Before she made it in England, Mary was juggling low-paid, part-time jobs so that she could make enough petrol money to drive to training for Doncaster Belles. Earps used to work part-time in a cinema, a toy shop, two coaching jobs and even for her dad's company.
Speaking on Jill Scott's podcast, she explained: "That summer I was just moving on to my A-Levels, I had a job in the cinema, a job at a kids' toy shop, two coaching jobs and I worked with my dad's business, where I was doing some telesales work for him. I had quite a few jobs to pay for my boots and petrol basically."
She continued: "I used to get expenses with Doncaster but there was no real money in the game back then. At first I had not passed my driving test so I was relying on my local team-mates for help. There was a girl who even drove from Southampton up to Doncaster and used to pick me up on the way. It is mad how the game has changed since then."
Mary also completed a degree in Information Management and Business Studies at Loughborough and did an extra year at school to make sure she could meet the entry grades. Posting a graduation snap on Instagram, she wrote: "Today I graduated from one of the top universities in the country, the university that I've always dreamed of attending, with a 2:1 degree in Business... and it's safe to say that the stress, sweat, tears and sleep deprivation were all worth it. Thank you for a challenging and unforgettable four years."
Almost quitting
Mary revealed she came close to quitting football and once thought her dream career was over. In September 2020, she was hoping her efforts for Man United would earn her a recall to the England team - but, she was dropped from the squad by then coach, Phil Neville. Goalkeepers Carly Telford, Ellie Roebuck, Hannah Hampton and Sandy MacIver were all picked ahead of her.
Upon hearing the news, Mary sank to her kitchen floor and broke down. In a documentary after the Euros, she recalled: "I can vividly remember the days of feeling really down. I got to a point where I felt I had sort of reached my limits. I had given football a good go, but wasn't quite good enough. I had responsibilities, I had a mortgage and it wasn't adding up. Eventually I decided to give it just a couple more years."
Mary stuck with it and when Sarina Wiegman was appointed the team's manager, it changed the course of her life. "Sarina came in, in September (2021) and life changed just like that," Mary said. "I felt that she really understood where I came from and had real empathy for me as a human being. That is not something I've experienced a lot in football. I like her directness, her honesty and I can't really express how much she has changed my career really. This whole year has just changed everything."
She was awarded the world's best women's goalkeeper of the year by FIFA in 2022 (Instagram/1maryearps)
She has fought to represent goalkeepers young and old in her battle with Nike (Instagram/1maryearps)Taking on Nike
Mary made headlines earlier in the year when she held Nike responsible over its refusal to manufacture replica women's goalkeeping shirts. She described the situation as "hugely disappointing and very hurtful", in a rant against the iconic global brand. "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," she said. "Unfortunately, it has become very evident that it is not possible and there is not going to be an acceptable solution.
Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd
"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." Mary added: "As a group, we stand for inclusion and this is the total opposite of that."
Nike has since listened to the goalie and released her goalkeeper shirts twice - with both releases selling out. In response, Mary told Sky Sports: "On this topic, they know that they got this wrong and that's why they've done this correction - a big company like Nike, they wouldn't do that if they didn't know it wasn't right and that there was an injustice there." She continued: "I thought I was just speaking for a niche of goalkeepers, but it turned out to be support from a group of much wider group of people. I think from that, collectively, we've really changed the world, so thank you to everyone."
Staying humble
Since making it in the spotlight, Mary has remained humble and has been praised for her down-to-earth personality. She credits her nearest and dearest for keeping her grounded. After she was nominated for FIFA's Best Award, she messaged her family straight away. Talking to BBC Sport, she explained: "I was blown away [to be nominated]. There aren't loads of awards around for goalkeepers.
"I texted my mum and dad straight away. They humbly replied with just 'well done'. It was a standard Earps family reply, super chilled. It's really nice and the real icing on the cake. It doesn't happen often and it never really happens to me so I forget [these awards] exist in a way. To be named on the shortlist, it came out of the blue, and it was really cool."
As well as achieving numerous awards, Mary has been supported by her local community and even has a bus named after her in her hometown, West Bridgford, near Nottingham. She is often stopped for photographs and spotted in the street by fans - though it's taken some getting used to. She told Vogue: "A lot has changed since our Euros win, including the profile of the game. I'm trying to adjust to and enjoy the attention that comes with success. Not that I would have it any other way."
Mary has also made it on TikTok, with the footballer garnering a huge audience with her hilarious and heart-warming behind-the-scenes videos. With over 1 million followers, Mary regularly shared the England team training throughout the World Cup and continues to make fun clips with her teammates. One of her most popular TikToks, with 4.4 million views, is her team celebrating in changing rooms after winning the Euros.
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 airs on BBC One at 7pm tonight.
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