England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has name-dropped Mary Earps during a thank-you video after she claimed the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2025 award.
The announcement, made on Tuesday morning, means that Hampton has followed in the footsteps of Mary Earps, who won the award in 2023.
The former teammates have been embroiled in an ongoing row that came to light following excerpts from Earp's 2025 autobiography.
Earps claimed that she had a "difficult professional dynamic" with Hampton and that the national team rewarded the young goalkeeper for "bad behaviour."
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When receiving the award, Hampton mentioned her predecessors, specifically mentioning Carly Telford, Karen Bardsley and Mary Earps.
She said: "They've changed the perception of women's goalkeeping. It's definitely taking off and we're trying to change the perception slowly but surely."
The 25-year-old becomes the sixth British recipient of the honour since its establishment in 2015 and only the second goalkeeper to secure the prize.
She received the trophy in an unexpected ceremony at Chelsea's Cobham training facility, where she was surprised with the accolade.
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has name-dropped Mary Earps
|GETTY
The award winner was determined through a public vote, following a panel of professionals, coaches and journalists selecting a five-player shortlist based on performances between September 2024 and August 2025.
Hampton's remarkable year included steering Chelsea to an unblemished domestic campaign, securing the Women's Super League title, FA Cup and League Cup without a single defeat against English opposition throughout 2024.
The goalkeeper maintained exceptional form with 13 clean sheets across 22 league appearances, proving instrumental in the Blues' treble triumph.
Her international performances reached new heights during the summer's European Championship in Switzerland, where she established herself as England's undisputed first-choice keeper following Mary Earps' unexpected international retirement.
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The former teammates have been embroiled in an ongoing row that came to light following excerpts from Earp's 2025 autobiography
|GETTY
Hampton's tournament heroics included stopping two penalties in the quarter-final shootout victory against Sweden, before repeating the feat in the final against Spain as the Lionesses successfully defended their European title.
The goalkeeper said: "Winning the Euros is special. Being able to put on an England badge is a special and proud moment."
The Chelsea keeper expressed genuine astonishment at her victory, particularly given the calibre of her fellow nominees.
Hampton said: "I definitely didn't expect it. With all the other players nominated, I think they've all had unbelievable years."
The shortlist featured Spain's Aitana Bonmatí, who has secured three consecutive Ballon d'Or awards and two FIFA Best Women's Player trophies, yet has never claimed the BBC honour despite making the shortlist for three years running.
Hannah Hampton was a stand out performer for the Lionesses during their 2025 Euro success | GETTYEngland striker Alessia Russo and Spanish internationals Patri Guijarro and Mariona Caldentey completed the five-player selection.
Hampton's triumph marks a significant milestone as only the second goalkeeper to receive the award, joining her predecessor Mary Earps, who won in 2023.
Hampton acknowledged the immense pressure of succeeding Earps as England's number one, revealing she performed whilst dealing with personal tragedy after her grandfather passed away just two days before the European Championship commenced.
"When I then got the news about my grandad, that gave me that extra push to go and show everyone what I can do because that was our dream together," she disclosed.
The goalkeeper emphasised the human element behind professional sport, noting the challenges of competing whilst grieving.
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