Mary Earps talks challenges returning to the spotlight with London City Lionesses

Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps is not sure she is ready to return to the spotlight after signing for London City Lionesses. After two years playing for Paris Saint-Germain, the 33-year-old returns to the Women's Super League, which she described as "the madness of England" in an interview with the BBC last year.

Like many high-profile female athletes, Earps has been the target of abuse on social media throughout her career and has received criticism for winning the 2023 BBC Sports Personality award. She has also faced backlash from fans and Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor over controversial comments about her former team-mate Hannah Hampton and coach Sarina Wiegman, which were published in her autobiography last year.


Asked about her readiness to deal with criticism in England, Earps told BBC Sport: "I don't know. You know, I think the game can be noisy and that's hard to deal with sometimes. That kind of comes with the territory and how social media has grown. But I believe it's one of those things. I believe you've got to take the good with the bad. We've been working hard to build the game on social media for so many years. Sometimes it's difficult. I don't know, that's the honest answer to the question, but it's also a Big compliment about where the game is. You have to accept the ups and downs sometimes."

Earps joined an ambitious London City team that has been transformed by American businesswoman Michele Kang since her takeover in December 2023. Her foray has transformed the club, which finished in sixth place in its debut WSL season following promotion in 2025. "She is a powerful woman in business and as someone who has a passion for the business world, I am very inspired by women in business," said Earps. "We had a video chat. With all the other things she has and all her endeavors, I was impressed that she was able to make time for me. Her energy is really contagious and you can see over the years that her investment in women's sport has been consistent. It's clear that she has a real passion and energy for women's sport as a whole. We had a really good conversation and I'm really excited to be involved in the club."

Earps helped England win Euro 2022 and reach the final of the 2023 World Cup, where they were defeated by Spain, before retiring from international football last year having accumulated 53 caps. On signing a two-year contract with London City, she added: "I'm not ready for the real world yet. I'm ready to make the most of whatever comes my way. I'm at a slightly different stage in my career. I don't want to say old, but let's say experienced, a bit wiser, knowing who I am as a person and what's important to me. This club and this project feel special for me to be a part of, in terms of what they're trying to do in women's football and women's sport. I feel like our values and personalities align in what we want to do. I hope it makes every day really fun. But yeah, [I'm] probably the one.Same old Mary, with maybe a little more wisdom, personality, passion and energy, just trying to work hard to be the best player and person I can be every day and every time I cross the white line.

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