Crossword Genius

Little female along with old maiden in group of enthusiasts (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fandom

'group of enthusiasts' is the definition.

'little female along with old maiden' is the wordplay.
'little' suggests taking the first letters.
'along with' becomes 'and'.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'maiden' becomes 'm' (cricket abbreviation).
The initial letter of 'female' is 'f'.
'f'+'and'+'o'+'m'='FANDOM'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for fandom that I've seen before include "enthusiasm" , "Supporters generally" , "Enthusiastically supportive followers" , "Devotees, collectively" , "Enthusiasts" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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