Mary Earps is Manchester United WFC and the Lionesses’ goalkeeper. She’s basically one of the safest pair of hands in the world when it comes to football. How much do you know about this England shot-stopper? Here’s some awesome facts about her incredible football journey!

1. She was born in Nottingham!

Mary was born on March 7, 1993 in Nottingham. Her middle name is Alexandra and grew up supporting Manchester United! We’re sure Nottingham Forest were a close second.

2. She’s always been a goalie!

She became a goalkeeper at the youth team West Bridgford Colts, aged just 10. This decision to stop between the “sticks” started a long adventure which would see her being recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in the world!

3. She started her professional career at Leicester City – sort of…

She started her professional career at Leicester City in 2009 and stayed for one season but made no appearances. Don’t worry, the story obviously doesn’t stop here or it would be a very short list of facts!

4. She’s played for a number of clubs over her career!

After a spell at Leicester City, Mary has stopped shots for Nottingham Forest, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Coventry City, Birmingham City, Bristol Academy and Reading!

5. She spend time in Germany, too!

In 2018, Mary made her way to Germany for one season, representing VfL Wolfsburg. She played four games in the Frauen-Bundesliga.

6. She made her England senior debut in 2018!

Mary won her first senior cap in a friendly against Switzerland, but made her first start in 2018 in a game versus Kazakhstan. The game was a 6-0 win for the Lionesses!

7. She signed for Manchester United in 2019!

Mary signed for her childhood heroes Manchester United in 2019 and has been a regular in the women’s first team ever since. She earned a Women’s FA Cup runner-up medal in the 2022-23 season, losing 1-0 to Chelsea in a closely fought game.

8. She was named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2023!

Mary was named the top women’s footballer in this BBC awards ceremony. She was up against Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati, Chelsea’s Sam Kerr, VfL Wolfsburg’s Alexandra Popp and Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfö. Fierce competition indeed!

9. She helped the Lionesses win the UEFA Women’s Championship in 2022!

After the Lionesses won the Euros, she shared a post on Instagram with the caption: “‘Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. This has been my greatest joy and privilege; to win a major championship on home turf is a once in a lifetime thing.” She played every minute of the six games which led them to lifting the trophy!

10. She almost quit football in 2021!

For a couple of years, Mary was no longer the first-choice goalie for the Lionesses and she considered quitting the game. When Sarina Wiegman was appointed England manager in 2021, she was quickly selected for the team. “When Sarina came in and picked me for the squad, I just thought I’d go, do my best and have no expectations,” she revealed in an interview with Women’s Health magazine. “The way it all went… I could never have written it in a million years.”

11. She’s 176 Beanos tall!

Mary is 5’8 or 1.73m tall. It would take 173 Beanos stacked up to be as tall as the Manchester United and England goalkeeper! That’s a lot of comics!

12. She was given Freedom of the City of London in 2022!

To celebrate the success of the Lionesses in the 2022 Euros, the England team were given Freedom of the City of London. The announcement was made quickly after the final and gives those awarded the title special privileges in the English capital.

13. She has a black belt in judo!

Mary became a junior black belt when she was just 15 years old and perhaps gave her a physical advantage over other goalkeepers!

14. She has her own clothing brand!

Mary has her own line of T-shirts under the name MAE27 – her initials and goalkeeper number at Manchester United. The range of clothing has inspirational slogans like ‘Be unapologetically yourself’ and ‘There’s only one of you in the world, and that’s more than good enough’.

15. She won a Golden Glove award at the 2023 World Cup!

Mary was recognised by FIFA for her shot-stopping skills in 2023 after her string of outstanding performances in goal for the Lionesses, including an amazing penalty save in the World Cup final!