Mary Earps has inspired a generation of little Lionesses wanting to become goalkeepers — after her junior team previously struggled to find players willing to take on the position.
The England and Manchester United No1 was the Lionesses’ star performer in the World Cup last 16 clash against Nigeria on Monday and is a nailed-on starter when they take on Colombia in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Earps, now 30, started playing for Nottingham side West Bridgford Colts at 10 and embraced a position which many young players shy away from.
Club secretary Julie Lazarus said: “Goalkeeping is such an overlooked position. At a young age, it’s not a desired role. But the profile Mary has given it, it’s no longer, ‘Bad luck, it is your time to be in goal’. All of a sudden, they don’t mind. We’ve got Mary’s shirt up in the clubhouse and her parents are still very local.”
Mrs Lazarus described Earps as a “very strong character from a a young age”, adding: “She needed that to get to the level she has. It’s incredible. As well as her on-pitch ability, how vocal she is off it — especially taking Nike to task for not putting her replica shirt on sale before the World Cup — that’s really important. She’s happy to be a spokesperson and a role model. It’s the legacy she’s left here, really.”
The Colts now have 25 female teams — and a waiting list for places. The club’s chairman, Peter Stansbury, said: “Mary playing for the Colts and in particular the success of the Lionesses has made a huge difference to the profile of girls’ and women’s football.
“Playing in goal is not often the first choice position for aspiring players, so having Mary lead the way and be so successful is really inspiring to many of our players.”
Earps played for Leicester City, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Birmingham City and German side VfL Wolfsburg before joining Manchester United in 2021. In February, Fifa named her the world’s best goalkeeper in women’s football.
