Mary Alexandra Earps MBE is an English professional footballer. She plays as a goalkeeper for FA Women Super League club Manchester United and the England Women national team.
She one of the best and most decorated shot-stoppers in the women’s game. Earps is famous for her elegant command in the air and within the box, and splendid ability make judgements. She is also well known for her acrobatic saves and always being vocal behind the defense.
In recognition for her standout contributions to her club and national teams’ success, Mary has won a number of individual accolades. She was voted the world’s best FIFA women’s goalkeeper in 2022. Owing to her excellent performance during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Earps emerged the best goalkeeper of the tournament taking home the Golden Glove award. In December 2023, she was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 as well as the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2023. In January 2024 New Year Honours, Mary was appointed the prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
The world class goalkeeper previously played for a number of other English clubs such as Birmingham City, Bristol City and Reading as well as Germany side, Vfl Wolfsburg. At international stage, she has represented England across various age groups, from Under-17 to Senior level.
Age and Birthday
Mary was born on 7 March 1993 at Nottingham, England. She is 31 years old as of 2024.
Height
The English star shot-stopper is 1.73 meters (5 feet 8 inches) tall.
Religion
The Lionesses star is a Christian.
Namesake
In December 2023, Nottingham Express Transit named tram number 222 after Mary Earps.
Mary Earps Family
Mary’s parents Julie and David Earps are entrepreneurs. David, a Bachelors of Engineering (Hons) degree holder is a director with thirty years experience in the food industry. Julie is in charge of the telemarketing operations and communication.
She has two siblings, a brother Joel Earps and sister Annabelle Earps.
Mary Earps Education
Growing up in West Brigdford, Nottingham, Mary enrolled at Becket School for her education.
In 2016, Mary graduated at Loughborough University with a degree in Information Management and Business Studies.
In December 2023, the University awarded her with an honorary degree in recognition for her prominent contributions to football as well as recognition and celebration of women achievements in sports.
Mary Earps Club Career
Early stages
The English stellar goalie’s passion for goalkeeping was evident from a young age. She began her career in a local side West Bridgfold Colts before moving to the Leister City academy in 2007 at the age of 14.
In 2009 and only aged 16, Mary joined the Foxes’ first team squad as a competition for their first choice goalkeeper Leanne Hall. However, she left Leicester for Nottingham Forest in 2010 having made not a single senior appearance for the Foxes. Earps made only four appearances in Nottingham colours.
After winning their first ever promotion to the FA Women Super League, Doncaster Rovers Belles signed the then 18- year old Earps in the beginning of the 2011season. She made regular appearances for Doncaster Belles. Mary joined Coventry City on loan during the off-season and returned to Doncaster for the 2012 season. She played a total 27 matches for the club.
Before the start of 2013 season, Earps joined Birmingham City and in November 2013, she made her debut in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. This was during a 5-2 win against Russian side, FC Zorky Krasnogorsk. Nonetheless, she enjoyed limited play time owing to stiff competition from Jamaican goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer.
This prompted her move to Bristol City in 2014. At Bristol, Mary played all save one of their matches in 2014 and 2015 seasons.
Reading: 2016-2018
Earps moved to Reading following Bristol City relegation at the end of 2015 season. In her maiden year, she was voted into the PFA Team of the Year following her standing performance throughout the season. She played a total of 34 matches for Reading across three seasons.
VfL Wolfsburg: 2018-2019
Mary moved to Germany in June 2018, joining the Bundesliga defending champions VfL Wolfsburg. On 8 September 2018, she debuted in the DFB-Pokal second round, a 11-0 victory over Hannover 96. It is in the 2018-19 season when Wolfsburg won their third consecutive domestic double.
Manchester United: 2019-present
On 12 July 2019, before the start of the 2019-20 season, Mary returned to England after only one season in Germany. This was after she signed for Manchester United who had just been promoted into the FA WSL. She made her debut in 1-0 loss against city rivals Manchester City on 7 September 2019. On 28 September, she kept her first clean-sheet for United in the club’s first win in FA WSL, a 2-0 victory against Liverpool.
Going forward, Mary became a vital part of the Manchester United team. She played in all 58 WSL matches in her first three seasons with the club, in the process keeping 25 clean sheets. In January 2023, she kept her 50th clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Reading to become the first ever WSL goalkeeper to reach the milestone. Needless to say, her contribution to the teams success over the years are immeasurable.
In February 2021, she signed a new contract extending her stay at the Red Devils to 2023, with an option for an additional year.
During the 2022-23 WSL season, Mary won the Golden Glove. She played a crucial part in Manchester United finishing second and qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time. She was also instrumental as Manchester United reached the 2023 FA Cup finals, their first major final. They nevertheless lost 1-0 to Chelsea at Wembley.
In the October 2023 Ballon d’Or voting, Mary was fifth placed, a record highest for a goalkeeper since 2018 when the female award was introduced. More accolades came her way in the following months. These included; Billy Seymour Impact Award, Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.
Mary Earps International Career
Youth level
Mary has played for the Lionesses since she was young, in the under-17, under-19 and under-20 teams. She came into the limelight at the 2012 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championships held in Antalya, Turkey. Here, she showed her prowess and won a lot of commendation. In the 2013 Summer Universiade held in Kazan, Russia, the Loughborough University student played a major rule as Great Britain won a gold medal.
Senior level
The talented goalkeeper got her first senior team call up in April 2014 for a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification match against Montenegro. However, her debut senior cap came in 11 June 2017 in a 4-0 friendly match victory against Switzerland. In September 2018, Earps made her first senior start in a 6-0 win against Kazakhstan. She was as well in the England’s squad for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Since Sarina Wiegman first game as England manager in September 2021, Mary has established herself as the Lionesses’ first choice shot-stopper. She played every minute of all the six games in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 tournament. She played a huge role as England made history by winning the Euros for the first time. Mary was also named in the Team of the Tournament having conceded only two goals and kept four clean sheets.
In the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the star goalkeeper was the England vice-captain. She played every minute of all the seven matches conceding only four goals and keeping three clean sheets. She consequently helped England finish as tournament’s runners-up after loosing 1-0 to Spain in the finals. Earps also won the Golden Glove owing to her exceptional performance throughout the tournament.
In recognition to her invaluable contribution to the Lionesses’ success, she was named the 2022-2023 England Women’s Player of the Year. She was also announced the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award winner. Additionally, in the 2024 New Year Honours, Mary was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her immeasurable contribution to football.
Mary Earps Awards
VfL Wolfsburg
- DFB-Pokal: 2018-19
- Frauen-Bundesliga: 2018-19
Manchester United
- Women’s FA Cup runner-up: 2022-23
England
- FIFA Women’s World Cup runner-up: 2023
- Women’s Finalissima: 2023
- UEFA Women’s Championship: 2022
- Arnold Clark Cup: 2022, 2023
- SheBelieves Cup: 2019
Individual awards
- Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: 2022, 2023
- FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Glove: 2023
- PFA WSL Team of the Year: 2016-17, 2022-23
- England Women’s Player of the Year: 2022-23
- Women’s Super League Golden Glove: 2022-23
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year: 2023
- BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year: 2023
- IFFHS Women’s World’s Best Goalkeeper: 2023
- IFFHS Women’s World Team of the Year: 2023
- FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11: 2023
- Sunday Timers Sportswoman of the Year: 2023
Mary Earps Net worth
The England goalkeeper has an estimated net worth of about $5 million as of 2024. Her major sources of income are football and entrepreneurship.
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