November 28 – Mary Earps has become the first goalkeeper to win the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award. Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí and Australia’s Sam Kerr finished second and third.
“To be the first goalkeeper to get their hands on the award is incredibly special and I am incredibly grateful,” said Earps. “Hopefully, one of many more to come and thank you so much again.”
The award is further recognition for Earps, who also won the FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award. This year, the Manchester United and England goalkeeper cemented her name as one of the leading number ones in the game, in particular with her outstanding performances at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. In the final, she saved a penalty from Jennifer Hermoso even though England lost the match. She won the tournament’s golden glove.
Earps had previously struggled to break into the England side, but under coach Sarina Wiegman she flourished and became one of the key players in England’s Euro 2021 win as well as in the recent World Cup.
“I try to use my story as a beacon of hope for people,” said Earps. “To show that there are better days coming. You just have to keep going and keep fighting; that looks very different to different people. I think there was a time, when no one was watching what I was doing. To work hard in silence, on your own, nobody notices what you do.”
“It doesn’t matter what you do, apart from to yourself and your own standards. I think that is a big part of where I am today, and sort of the resilience that I’ve shown and I know there are going to be many more moments where I’m going to need that resilience.”
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