Club Details: Northampton Saints
The clubs origins can be traced back to the Reverend Samuel Wathen Wigg, who formed a team from the church improvement class as a way for some boys to let off steam.
Franklin's Gardens was originally a pleasure gardens and small zoo owned by John Franklin. It was once considered as one of the finest grounds in England, particularly when the Main Stand was completed in 1927.
Over the years Saints faded as a major force in English rugby and with the advent of leagues, they looked set to slip into obscurity. By 1988 frustrated supporters overthrew the committee and within two seasons became Division Two champions and KO cup finalists.
As rugby union turned professional in 1995, Keith Barwell, a local entrepreneur bought the club for £1 million. Saints won the Heineken Cup in 2000, beating Munster 9-8.
Losing to Gloucester in their second Powergen Cup final in the 2002/03 was followed by 16 months of redevelopment work on thier home stadium. The 2003/04 season saw the Saints lose to London Wasps in the semi-final of the Heineken Cup.
The Saints finished 12th in the 2006/07 season. The 2007/08 season saw the Saints win National League 1 in convincing fashion, placing them back in the top tier of English Rugby Union.
They finished in 2nd place in the 2009-10 season league table.
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Tel: 01604 751543
Fax:
Tickets: 01604 581000
Northampton Saints
Weedon Road
Northampton
NN5 5BG
Stadium: Franklin's Gardens
Weedon Road, Northampton NN5 5BG
Stadium Capacity: 13,600
Club Founded: 1880
Team Colours:
Chairman: Keith Barwell
Coach/Manager: Jim Mallinder
