MAISIE would have been proud: the newly-formed Wantage Town FC Ladies' Team used their first home fixture to support the charity that she loved.

After the sponsor for the team's new kit decided to remain anonymous, the ladies unanimously agreed to emblazon their shirts with with the name of the Caring Cancer Trust which supported their old friend Maisie Norton.

Maisie, who passed away aged 17 in October after a six-year battle with cancer, played for Wantage Town in 2013-14 during a short respite from illness.

The new team officially unveiled their kit in her honour at Sunday's match at Manor Road and also collected £250 in donations for the charity.

Among the punters were Maisie's dad Steve Norton and her younger brother Owen who said it was a "terrific day" for all involved.

Mr Norton added: "I'm involved with Wantage Town and it was a really special day for me and Owen.

"It was nice to think that if things had been different Maisie would have been there playing with them.

"We know some of the girls there and they really are a credit to the club".

Maisie's family and friends have now raised some £10,000 in her memory for the Caring Cancer Trust.

Her immediate family raised £8,000 join a London-to-Brighton walk, and other friends have gone on sponsored runs and bike rides.

The charity, based on the Isle of Wight, organises respite holidays for children and teenagers recovering from cancer, and Maisie joined them on two ski trips and a voyage to Austria.

After she passed away, the trust set up a Maisie Norton Memorial Fund, and Mr Norton said: "It's great: just recently they taught a young blind girl to ski through the fund.

"They said the money we have raised would probably also fund their Alpine ski holiday next year".

Maisie, who went to King Alfred's school in Wantage, passed away on October 8.

Mr Norton said the family would probably mark the date this year by spending a quiet day together.

He went on: "Every day is a struggle in some ways for each of us.

"We'll probably go and put something on the grave, and Maisie had a favourite tree up on the Ridgeway so we'll probably walk up there".

Wantage Town are planning to hold a second annual Maisie Norton Memorial Match on Sunday, April 23, 2017, following the success of the first one earlier this year.

Find out more about the Caring Cancer Trust at caringcancertrust.com