From the little girl who cherished her football kit to the woman who has become a symbol of women's sporting dominance, Mary Earps' journey is a testament to her passion and dedication. Her rise to a towering figure in goal is a personal triumph and an inspiration to a generation. Join us as we delve into the story of a passionate player who has left an indelible mark as a football legend.

Growing up

Like many footballers, Mary began playing in her backyard. At 8, she joined her younger brother and dad in a kickabout because it seemed fun. That marked the start of a love affair with the sport.

Like many girls my age, girls didn't play football when we were growing up. We weren't allowed to play in boys' teams, and there weren't many girls' teams around.

We used to think that football wasn't very ladylike. We believed that shouting on the football field wasn't appropriate because we didn't want to be heard or embarrassed. However, Mary challenged those notions. She believed that shouting at the team and communicating with the defenders was vital to the game. Her willingness to fully engage in the game and the sport she loved made her stand out.

WSL

Mary got her break at 14 when trials for Leicester came about. Doncaster Rovers Belles signed 18-year-old Earps immediately before the inaugural 2011 season of the FA WSL.

Earps joined Birmingham City ahead of 2013, where, in November, she made her UEFA Women's Champions League debut in a 5–2 win over FC Zorky.

In 2014, Earps made an exciting move to Bristol Academy. She showcased her talent by playing in nearly every match during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. However, when Bristol City faced relegation at the end of her second season, she joined Reading in 2016. This move coincided with her completing her degree (Information Management and Business Studies from Loughborough University), which was the point at which she considered becoming a professional footballer.

Following moving to Reading, she won PFA Team of the Year honours in her first season, and not long after, in June 2018, Earps joined defending Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg. The team won its third consecutive domestic double during the 2018–19 season.

On 12 July 2019, after one season in Germany, Earps returned to England to sign for newly promoted Manchester United ahead of the 2019–20 season. Here, she settled and played over 100 caps. It is also since being at Manchester United that Earps was recalled into the International fold.

Shooting Goalkeepers

When photographing goalkeepers, you want to capture their athleticism, focus, and the critical moments of their performance. Here are some key points to consider:

• Anticipate the action: Goalkeepers often move, so anticipate dives, jumps, and punches—Pre-focus on areas where they might make a save, like the corners of the goal.
• Low angle: A low angle can make the goalkeeper appear more imposing and emphasise their agility.
• Behind the goal: Get some shots from behind the goal to capture saves from a different perspective.
• Fill the frame: Get close-ups during key moments, such as saves, punches, or celebrations, to show their intensity and emotion.
• Fast shutter speed: Action shots require a fast shutter speed to freeze movement and capture sharp details.
• Continuous autofocus: Keep the goalkeeper focused as they move around the goal.
• Burst mode: Use burst mode to capture a sequence of shots during a save or dive.
• Capture reactions: Photograph the goalkeeper's reactions after saves, goals, and missed opportunities.
• Details matter: Look for exciting details like the goalkeeper's gloves, kit, or facial expressions.
• Variety is key: Don't just shoot the goalkeeper during saves. Capture them communicating with their teammates, organising the defence, or claiming crosses.