Keeper Mary always wanted to be No1

England star was dedicated at 10

- EMER SCULLY and EMILY DAVIES

ENGLAND’S Mary Earps had her eye on being a top goalkeeper at the age of TEN, her old coach reveals.

Come rain or shine, she was out practising each Saturday morning.

It paid off handsomely and she is now the bedrock of the Lionesses’ defence as they chase a place in the final of the Women’s Euro 2022.

Chris Clark-Rossington, who coached Manchester United’s Mary for two years, says he was 100% convinced she would make it as a pro because of her “constant commitment to every session”.

Chris, 39, says: “You don’t get that in a lot of female goalkeepers. She always wanted to be better.

“She was always striving to be better, she wanted to be number one, there was no doubt about it.”

Chris, who runs coaching company Pro Sports Education, says Mary caught the bus to their Nottingham training sessions every week.

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Her mum came along too and watched from the car park, even in pouring rain, to support her daughter.

Mary, now 29, kept goal for Nottinghamshire side West Bridgford Colts for three years from the age of 10.

Chris adds: “To see her now in the semis of the Women’s Euros is fantastic.