Lioness Mary Earps reveals she’s in a ‘happy’ relationship with another woman
Mary Earps’ new memoir reveals she is dating a woman. (Maja Hitij/Getty)
Mary Earps' new memoir reveals she is dating a woman. (Maja Hitij/Getty)
Former England women’s goalkeeper Mary Earps has announced that she’s in a same-sex relationship.
Ahead of the publication of her memoir, Mary Earps: All In: Football, Life and Learning to be Unapologetically Me, the Paris Saint-Germain stopper said she now “feels ready and happy to share”.
She told the BBC: “I’ve always tried to keep my personal life separate from my professional one but it would have felt inauthentic not to include something so important to me in this book: I’m in a really happy relationship. The people closest to me have always known.”
The former Manchester United star was a key player in the England team that won the Women’s Euros three years ago and was the vice-captain during the World Cup in 2023. She was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year later that year.
Earps’ manager, Tina Taylor, hoped that the star’s revelation would “inspire people around the world to find the confidence to live authentically”, adding: “After the World Cup, the outpouring of love and support really showed Mary the impact she’s had and she was deeply touched by it.
“By sharing details of her life away from football – something she’s never done before – Mary is telling her story in her own way. It’s honest and authentic.”
Many fans reacted positively to the news on social media, with one writing: “That’s awesome for her! Love seeing athletes live their truths. Congrats to Mary!”
What has Mary Earps said about Hannah Hampton
Earps’ memoir has also shone new light on her international retirement, with some people saying the comments about her replacement, Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, seemed in bad taste.
Although Earps has said: “I’ve spent a long time making this decision and it’s not one I’ve made lightly. This is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive,” in an extract from the book published by The Guardian, she revealed there had been tension between the two keepers.
Earps claimed that Hampton had earlier been dropped from the squad because “her behaviour behind the scenes at the Euros had frequently risked derailing training sessions and team resources”.
When her rival was recalled, it did not make Earps “feel comfortable” after the “disharmony the squad had felt before.” She went on to write: “I felt protective of the good energy we now had in goalkeeper training and the morale of the wider team. Bad behaviour [was] being rewarded.”
‘I don’t have bad blood towards Hannah’
And learning that Hampton would play ahead of her in the 2025 Euros felt “unjust” to Earps.
“It was a choice that went against my core values,” she said. “The affinity I had for [England manager] Sarina [Wiegman] and this job, one I’d given every last cell of myself to, was being destroyed, the trust and respect evaporating.
“I wasn’t entitled to keep my place if Sarina didn’t want me to but I was entitled to decide what happened next. I could do what other people do if they’re no longer enjoying their job: I could leave, I could retire.”
But, speaking to ITV News, Earps said: “I don’t have bad blood towards Hannah. I wish her all the best… you don’t stay number one forever. Someone’s always going to come and take your place.”
Mary Earps: All In: Football, Life and Learning to be Unapologetically Me is published on Thursday (6 November).
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
