While the Lionesses might be making waves Down Under as they continued their excellent start to the Women's World Cup, our town's progressive football club are once again at the vanguard of promoting equality between the sexes by appointing a female chaplain.

The Canaries who play their matches at evocative Top Field are delighted to announce that Reverend Maxine Howarth is the new chaplain of Hitchin Town FC.

Maxine is a football fan who grew up watching her home town club, Stoke City. She and her husband took over a tea shop in Whitwell which the family are still running today.

Meanwhile Maxine explored a call to ordination and embarked on her training which saw her studying at Westcott House in Cambridge for two years, followed by a three year curacy. This was spent at a church in Abbotts Langley and Bedmond before she applied for the post at St Mark's which is very close to Top Field.

Maxine said: "I'm the new priest at St Mark's around the corner from the club. 

"I'm originally from Stoke on Trent where some of my childhood was spent following 'The Potters' before I moved south. 

"Chaplaincy in the community is something I've always been involved in and which forms part of my ministry - I've done hospital, school and airport chaplaincy, so I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in with Hitchin Town. 

"I look forward to seeing lots of you at Top Field."

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Maxine, who also has three children, did a degree in Human Resources and People Management and started work as a youth worker, prior to becoming a trained wine advisor after taking a break from youth work.

Maxine returned to youth work and moved to Stevenage. She had a spell in HR at Tesco's but returned to youthwork, which was her passion and had an inter-church job working in secondary schools and on the streets.

Club secretary, stalwart and legend Roy Izzard welcomed Maxine warmly saying: "I am sure all supporters will make Maxine feel very welcome at Top Field."

Maxine replaces Rev Nick Smith who the club thanks for his efforts.