"We spoke on the first day. I wanted to know where she wanted to be. She was an endearing character, as well as being a livewire, like most goalkeepers. But she articulated things in a way that was far more mature than her age. It was on day two that I really saw what everyone was talking about. She was one of the most talented individuals I've ever worked with. Everyone has different talents but she was born to be a footballer."
"I've always gone through life trying to prove people wrong. I was told from a young age that I couldn't play football, that it wouldn't be a profession I could pursue. But here I am."
"She played with both feet. There are very few people in the game who can play off their weaker foot and hit it 60 yards with pinpoint accuracy."
Hannah Hampton was born with a serious eye condition that required multiple operations and left her with imperfect vision and depth perception issues. Doctors initially told her she should not play football, yet she switched from striker to goalkeeper and broke into Birmingham City's first team at 16. She progressed through England youth teams, demonstrated rare ability to play with both feet and deliver precise long passes, and faced career setbacks including being dropped after Euro 2022. She responded by proving herself, regaining form, and earning the England number one goalkeeper spot ahead of Euro 2025.
Read at www.bbc.com
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