Hannah Hampton makes history after winning another award amid Mary Earps saga | OneFootball

Hannah Hampton has become the first women’s footballer to win the Sports Journalists’ Association’s (SJA) President’s Award, thanks to her heroics with Chelsea and England in 2025.

England’s No.1 has had a year to remember, inspiring Chelsea to a domestic treble last season, before inspiring the Lionesses to glory at Euro  2025.

The 24-year-old has recently been awarded the Yachine Trophy for the best women’s goalkeeper in the world at the Ballon d’Or awards.

She has also made the FIFPRO World XI thanks to her performances for club and country.

However, attention has recently turned to off-pitch drama surrounding the media furore from Mary Earps’ comments on Hampton in her new autobiography, with players past and present giving their verdict on the former England goalkeeper’s remarks.

Hannah Hampton wins SJA President’s Award

Hannah Hampton was named as the recipient of the SJA President’s Award on Tuesday morning.

The award is handed out to a sportsperson or team for an outstanding moment during the calendar year, or to celebrate their career.

In 2024, men’s striker Ollie Watkins received the award after his winning goal for England against the Netherlands at the Euro 2024 semi-final.

The year prior, Dele Alli received the award for his courageous interview about his mental health.

Explaining why Hannah Hampton is the first women’s player to receive the award, president Darren Lewis told Sky Sports: “I have gone for someone who has had their name on this award since the Euros was settled in July.

“After securing a domestic treble with Chelsea, it was a summer to remember for Hannah Hampton. It was her display of calmness and coolness under pressure in the penalty shootout that wrote England’s name onto the Euros trophy.

“She became the No.1, after the brilliant Mary Earps. She has been outstanding and I think she looks set to retain that shirt for quite some time to come.”

Meanwhile, Michelle Agyemang was awarded the Women’s Breakthrough Athlete of the Year award after her heroics with England over the summer. Agyemang has been ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL.

Past winners of the SJA President’s Award

Hannah Hampton joins the below list of recipients of the SJA President’s Award.

What did Earps say about Hampton?

Hampton’s latest award comes after the fallout of comments made about her by Earps.

Earps criticised early “bad behaviour” by Hampton and also criticised Sarina Wiegman for bringing her back into the England team.

She wrote: “Her behaviour behind the scenes at the Euros had frequently risked derailing training sessions and team resources.”

Earps added: “I felt protective of the good energy we now had in goalkeeper training and the morale of the wider team.”

Figures from the world of women’s football have spoken on the subject, with Fara Williams and Anita Asante questioning the comments by Earps.

Former teammate Ruesha Littlejohn admitted that Hampton could be a “pain in the a***” while speaking on a podcast

Millie Bright received criticism for not giving her opinion on the matter and defend her Chelsea teammate Hampton. However, Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor has since come to Bright’s defence.