Hannah Hampton: England keeper says media focus on mistakes can ‘stigmatise’ female goalkeepers

Hampton’s career has been far from smooth sailing, with the former Birmingham City goalkeeper making headlines when he was left out of the England squad for 2022 shortly after winning their first Euro.

Reports said it was a result of his behavior and he had to wait until March 2023 to withdraw, while manager Sarina Wigman said Hampton had “resolved personal issues”.

Speaking about that time, Hampton said the stories were “sad” and he later revealed on the Foxcast podcast that he considered quitting football.

In November, Mary Earps – her former England teammate and predecessor as number one – An autobiography published which drew heavy criticism from Hampton.

Earps claims he told Wigman he was rewarding “bad behavior” by recalling Hampton, who had previously been dismissed as “disruptive and unreliable.”

Hampton, who has kept eight clean sheets in 19 WSL appearances this season, says goalkeepers need to support each other.

“I think goalies have a unique pressure that only goalies really understand,” Hampton added.

“When I see other goalkeepers saving the world, it pushes me and drives me. The women’s game, and goalkeepers in particular, live up to the standards we hold ourselves to so high.

“We are a group, a union. If we can’t rely on each other, we can’t rely on anyone.”

Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse, a former teammate of Birmingham’s Hampton, won the WSL 2 Golden Glove award on Monday.

Hampton said Whitehouse “deserves more credit” and believes he will star in Saturday’s play-off match against Leicester City (12:30 BST).

“Seeing the growth he’s gotten to now can’t be talked about enough,” Hampton said.

“He’s always pushed himself to reach high standards at the Blues. I’m sure he’ll do even more world class to ensure Charlton’s move to the WSL and we’ll be competing against each other next season.”