Legendary Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps says it was 'maddening' to lose top spot to Hannah Hampton | LBC

Legendary Lionesses Goalkeeper Mary Earps Reflects on Losing England Spot

Mary Earps, the renowned goalkeeper for the Lionesses, described it as "maddening" to lose her position as England's number one to Hannah Hampton. Earps rose to prominence through her outstanding performances in Euro 2021 and the 2023 World Cup and was recognized as the world's best female goalkeeper.

Despite her success, Earps retired abruptly from international duty just weeks before the Lionesses traveled to Switzerland to defend their European Championship title. The competition for the starting goalkeeper spot, particularly with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, had a significant impact on her mental health.

Impact on Mental Health

"It was definitely maddening in the sense that that sort of situation can play with your mental health and the way you feel about yourself, and you start questioning everything," Earps said. "And those were the questions I was asking because I was desperately trying to get clarity. It was definitely affecting the way I felt about myself, like my self-worth in a way."

Earps shared these reflections ahead of the release of her new memoir, offering insight into the personal challenges she faced during this difficult period.

Background

Additional Context

Before her retirement, Earps also publicly revealed being in a same-sex relationship, a part of her life she discusses in her memoir.

Her story highlights the emotional toll of high-level sports competition and the challenges athletes face beyond the pitch.

Author's summary: Mary Earps opens up about the mental strain and challenges after losing her England number one spot to Hannah Hampton and her sudden retirement before the European Championship.

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LBC LBC — 2025-11-07

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