Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps does not know if she is ready for the spotlight again after signing for the London City Lionesses.
After two years with Paris St-Germain, the 33-year-old has returned to the Women’s Super League, and what she called “the craziness of England” in a BBC interview last year.
Like many high-profile female athletes, Earps has been the target of social media abuse throughout her career, while some criticised her winning BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award in 2023.
She also faced a backlash from fans and Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor over controversial comments about ex-England team-mate Hannah Hampton and manager Sarina Wiegman in her autobiography, which was published last November.
Asked if she was ready to face scrutiny back 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. It kind of comes with the territory a bit and how social media has boomed.
“But I guess it’s one of those things. I’m a believer that you’ve got to take the good with the bad. We’ve been working really hard to build the game on socials for so many years. It is hard sometimes.
“I don’t know is the honest answer to that question but it’s also a big compliment about where the game is. You’ve got to take the rough with the smooth sometimes.”
Earps has joined an ambitious London City side transformed by American businesswoman Michele Kang since her takeover in December 2023.
Her investment has transformed the club, who finished sixth in their debut WSL season after promotion in 2025.
“She’s a powerful woman in business and as someone who’s got a passion for business, I’m pretty inspired by businesswomen,” said Earps.
“We had a conversation. With all the other things that she has going on and all the ventures, I was impressed that she could make any time for me at all.
“Her energy is really infectious and I think you’ve seen it over the years, 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 great conversation and I’m really excited to be involved in the club.”
Earps helped England win Euro 2022 and reach the 2023 World Cup final, where they were beaten by Spain, before retiring from international football last year after earning 53 caps.
Having signed a two-year deal with London City, she added: “I’m not ready for the real world yet. I’m ready to make the most of everything that comes my way.
“I’m in a bit of a different phase of my career. I don’t want to say old, but let’s say experienced, a little bit wiser, knowing who I am as a person and what’s important to me.
“This club and this project feels special 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 kind of align in what we want to do. I’m hoping that’s going to be really fun every day.
“But yeah, [I’m] probably the same old Mary with maybe a little bit more wisdom, personality, passion, energy, just trying to work hard to be the best player and person that I can be every single day and every time I cross the white line.”
