Mary Earps: England keeper finding it ‘really difficult’ to keep fans happy

England face Belgium on Friday in their third match of the Women’s Nations League tournament

England goalkeeper Mary Earps says it has become “really difficult” to keep fans happy after she received criticism for not signing an autograph.

The Lionesses often stay behind after matches to interact with supporters, but they are not able to meet everyone.

Earps said a parent’s claim she snubbed their child after Manchester United’s win at Everton on Sunday was “hurtful”.

“We love [meeting fans] but it’s becoming really difficult to maintain,” Earps said.

“The accessibility that people get to us as players is something that I think is a hot topic of discussion. It’s something that we as players are experiencing in a very different way with the profile of the game changing.

“At times it’s becoming really difficult to keep everybody happy and to interact with as many people as possible.

“We’re obviously so grateful that thousands and thousands of people want to meet us and come and talk to us, but the reality of it is, if that’s the expectation, we’re always going to fall short.

“I think the emphasis on it needs to switch now. We love that we can be so connected, but equally we are subject to a lot of comments and unnecessary [criticism]. At times it’s just an addition to the game that we don’t need.”

England defender Esme Morgan said players should not be “made to feel bad” for being unable to meet every request from fans.

European champions England, who finished as runners-up at the World Cup earlier this year, have enjoyed huge success under manager Sarina Wiegman. This has led to more demands on the players from supporters keen to meet their idols.

After last month’s win over Scotland in Sunderland, it was reportedexternal-link some fans chanted for the England players to “get off the bus” and meet them.

At St George’s Park this week, Earps and the other senior England goalkeepers met 103 young players – hoping to follow in their footsteps – and presented them with shirts.

“It’s incredibly rewarding. This is really the great purpose in why I do what I do,” said Earps.

“Obviously I love playing football, I love representing my country and playing football at the highest level, but to be able to give back to people, see young kids coming through and to be able to change the way things are done and give kids opportunities that I never had…”

Nike released limited quantities of Earps’ goalkeeper shirt last month which sold out immediately. The England number one had previously expressed disappointment that they were not being made commercially available.

“It’s just brilliant for [the young goalkeepers] to have that access and have their own personal shirt,” added Earps. “I know there’s going to be more shirts coming at the end of this year so I’m really excited about that as well.”

‘They are very hard to beat’Sarina Wiegman’s birthday was on Thursday – the day before England’s match with Belgium in Leicester

England face Belgium in a double-header over the coming days, with the first match taking place on Friday at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium before the Lionesses travel to Leuven on Tuesday for the return fixture.

Manager Sarina Wiegman revealed Chelsea forward Lauren James will miss both matches with concussion, while Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy is being assessed in training following an ankle injury.

“Lotte’s on the pitch, you saw that on Tuesday,” said Wiegman. “We’ll assess her [on Thursday] and hopefully she gets all right.

“[Lauren James’ concussion is] nothing to worry about. As you know, we have to be very careful with the protocols, as we always do – and it’s just too short for the two upcoming games.”

Belgium are top of Group A1 after beating the Netherlands and drawing with Scotland last month, while England followed up a victory over Scotland with defeat by the Dutch.

“Belgium are really competing for something now in the Women’s Nations League and not friendlies,” said Wiegman.

“They are in a different situation in the moment, they went through a transition. They play in a different shape, are very competitive, very organised and are tough in duels too. As they showed in September, they are very hard to beat.”

England are hoping to bounce back from that defeat by the Netherlands, while goalkeeper Earps admitted “we can do better” after five matches without a clean sheet.

“Obviously we all like keeping clean sheets and that’s what we always try to do. We obviously haven’t got that right just yet,” said Earps.

“A clean sheet doesn’t define a performance in any way. There’s lots of different factors, but ultimately we know we can do better. We are always looking to improve and strive.

“That’s the exciting thing about it because we know we haven’t hit the levels we’d like to. That’s what we’re focusing on doing.”