Latest news with #KarenBardsley
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Football Daily Women's Football Weekly: Nations League reaction and Kirby announces England retirement
Ellen White and Ben Haines are joined by former England number one Karen Bardsley and react to the news that Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football with immediate effect, just days after goalkeeper Mary Earps also retired from international football before England attempt to defend their Euros title. Ellen shares her memories of playing with Fran and Karen reflects on her impact both on and off the pitch. The team also react to the Lionesses failing to reach the semi-finals of the Women's Nations League with a 2-1 defeat by group winners Spain, a game in which substitute Claudia Pina showed her class. They also look ahead to Thursday 5th June when Sarina Wiegman will name her final 23-player squad for the tournament this summer. Who are the players giving her biggest headaches and will she take a gamble on Lauren James? TIMECODES: 1:10 - Fran Kirby announces her international retirement with immediate effect. 3:20 - Ellen White and Karen Bardsley react to Kirby calling time on her international career. 16:30 - Reaction to the Lionesses 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Women's Nations League. 23:35 - The competition to start at number 9 between Alessia Russo and Aggie Beever-Jones. 25:35 - Post-match reaction from Alessia Russo. 29:25 - Should Sarina Wiegman take Michelle Agyemang to the Euros alongside Russo and Beever-Jones? 31:50 - Post-match reaction from Leah Williamson 34:10 - Look ahead to the England squad announcement for the Euros. 39:50 - Ellen and Karen's squad announcement stories.
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Mary Earps made indelible mark with England and leaves big gap to fill
The news of Mary Earps's retirement from international football has been met with a cacophony of views, ranging from shock and disappointment to sadness and anger. That the decision to step away has prompted such emotional responses, coming less than six weeks before the first game of England's European Championship defence, is a testament to her popularity and the standing she has in the game. Earps's international career has been a rollercoaster, which hit a low when she was dropped by Phil Neville in March 2020. The goalkeeper thought it was a one‑off, that she would be back, but she was omitted from the next squad, then the next, and it was not until Sarina Wiegman arrived as head coach that things took an upward turn. In that year away from the international game she thought she would never pull on the shirt again, and that took an emotional and mental toll. No one, least of all Earps, could have predicted what would lie ahead. Injuries to Karen Bardsley and Ellie Roebuck opened the door for Earps to start under Wiegman and she grabbed the opportunity. She went from third-choice goalkeeper at the 2019 World Cup in France and out in the cold in 2020 to the No 1 for the Lionesses at the home Euro 2022. Her rise following a phenomenal run to the first major international title for the senior women's side was staggering. A key component is she comes across as fun and personable, her iconic hip swinging on the press conference table after the players crashed Wiegman's post-match press conference after the Euro 2022 final victory thrusting her personality to the fore. With the spotlight comes responsibility and Earps rose to it, being a vocal and passionate advocate for goalkeeping and goalkeeper coaching, speaking candidly about the lack of proper coaching available to her generation of keepers for much of their careers and supporting efforts to increase the popularity of the position. Then, there was the challenging of the England sponsors Nike on the eve of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand where, when asked about the lack of availability of replica women's goalkeeper kits, she paused, clearly emotional and weighing up whether it was the right time to speak out, before launching into an impassioned plea for the sportswear giant to make a U-turn on their decision to not sell the kits. She said: 'I can't really sugarcoat this in any way, so I am not going to try. It is hugely disappointing and very hurtful.' She forced change in the months that followed. At that World Cup Earps shone on the pitch, collecting the Golden Glove after England endured heartbreak, losing 1-0 against Spain in the final. She earned the nickname 'queen of stops' and footage of her expletive‑laden reaction after saving a penalty to keep the deficit to a single goal went viral. She was named The Best Fifa women's goalkeeper in 2022 and 2023 for those tournament heroics and won BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Her popularity has been enhanced by her social media presence, particularly on TikTok. Meanwhile, she became the first women's football player to have a waxwork at Madame Tussauds having won a public vote. She also launched her own line of T-shirts inspired by her speech when she won her first Fifa award in 2022, dedicating the win to 'anyone who's ever been in a dark place' before saying: 'You can achieve anything you set your mind to. Sometimes success looks like this – collecting trophies – sometimes it's just waking up and putting one step in front of the other. There's only one of you in the world, and that's more than good enough. Be unapologetically yourself.' In recent months Earps has found her playing time with England reduced, with Chelsea's Hannah Hampton preferred to the goalkeeper capped 53 times. It is a widely held view that Hampton is better with the ball at her feet, which suits the way England want to play, building out from the back. However, whether the talented 24-year-old, who has performed exceptionally well for Chelsea this season, will be able to match the stage presence, confidence and output of Earps on the biggest international stages remains to be seen. Her international retirement comes as a shock, but it is understood to be something she has been considering and discussing with Wiegman for some time. The timing of the announcement, so soon before the European Championship, is unusual, and many would have liked to see the senior head steer England's young keepers through the tournament. The reasons for the decision and its timing will no doubt come out in time; what we can take some time to do now is appreciate and reflect on Earps's commitment, passion and energy in an England shirt.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea v City: Women's Subway League Cup preview
Everything you need to know ahead of our Subway League Cup Final against Chelsea. We face Chelsea at Pride Park on Saturday 15 March, with kick-off scheduled for 12:15 (UK). You can also keep up to date via the Official Man City app and which will provide coverage throughout the afternoon. Regular updates will also be available on our social channels, including on X: @ManCityWomen. Our official app will provide you with all the action from the Midlands with live commentary from Alistair Mann and Karen Bardsley from kick-off. Our matchday live show will also bring you usual pre-match build-up to the big game but with a City twist. Promising to be brimming with humour and deliver you with plenty of anecdotes you won't want to miss it. Coverage will get under way from 11:15 (UK) as Karen Bardsley will be pitchside in Derbyshire, with Toni Duggan and Steve Howey in the studio. The broadcast will be back briefly during the half-time period and after the game. You can also follow along on all our digital platforms. Highlights and a full-match replay will also be available on CITY+ later in the afternoon. Gareth Taylor's press conference takes place on Friday 14 March at 14:30 and will be available to watch live on and the official Man City app, with written content and a full video replay available later in the afternoon. Our last encounter with Chelsea saw us fall to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge ending our 12-match unbeaten run. Two second-half goals from Mayra Ramirez and Guro Reiten were the difference in this top-of-the-table clash in the Capital. Despite a courageous defensive effort and promising counter-attacks, the first loss of the season meant City would sit second in the WSL and the Londoners would come away with bragging rights. WATCH: Extended highlights | Chelsea 2-0 City The road to the Midlands has not been an easy ride for the Citizens. From coming out on top against our cross-city rivals to a dramatic semi-final fixture here is how we claimed or place in the last two. Lily Murphy played a pivotal role in our 2-1 win at Leigh Sports Village, cementing our place in the semi-final. The youngster provided the assist for Laura Coombs' opener before restoring the lead for City after Millie Turner's equaliser. The Citizens displayed a great defensive display in the second-half against our cross-city rivals to reclaim the bragging rights in Manchester. WATCH: Extended highlights: Manchester United 1-2 City There was a 30-minute delay to kick-off in our semi-final at Meadow Park. But with an exciting atmosphere the stage was set for a thrilling fixture between two established sides. The prize? A spot in the final. City took a deserved lead after 26 minutes through Mary Fowler, but Arsenal continued to press the Blues. It wasn't long until the Gunners levelled from the centre spot through Mariona Caldentey in the second-half. The second 45 minutes were packed full of chances to go ahead as City hit the woodwork twice and had a penalty save. It looked as if the game would be forced to extra time, but Fowler stepped up to fire home a dramatic 95th minute winner in the last kick of the game. WATCH: Short highlights: Arsenal 1-2 City Chelsea's road to Derby included seven goals in their last two League Cup fixtures. It started with a 5-0 win over Durham in the quarter-final at Kingsmeadow recording back-to-back 5-0 wins after they turned five past West Ham in the Women's Super League. With five different goalscorers in 60 minutes the game was jam packed and the Blues booked their place in the semi-finals. 2-0 win over West Ham at Kingsmeadow. A 20th minute opener from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd helped Chelsea to a 2-0 win over West Ham at Kingsmeadow. Rytting Kaneryd's attempt set the Blues' noses ahead before Sjoeke Nusken doubled the lead nine minutes later. The win not only secured their place in the final but also continued their 22-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
