What do a member of the four-man bobsleigh team who competed in the European Championships and the Winter Olympics in 1968; a Master of Dulwich College who received an OBE for his services to Education in 1995; and a South African cricketer who appeared in the 1960 tour, playing in four of the five test matches against England have in common?
The answer – they all played in Black, Green and Gold.
Northampton Saints Foundation has unveiled a special exhibition as part of the Black, Green and Golden Age of Northampton Saints project, celebrating the club in the 1950s and 1960s.
The showcase, running from May 21 to May 31 at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, will honour the players, supporters and moments that help shape the future of Northampton Saints.
Made possible by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Northampton Saints Foundation’s heritage department has been researching all 287 Saintsmen who played during this era, as well as documenting key moments, recording oral histories, digitising and cataloguing memorabilia.
Now, for the first time, the public will have the opportunity to step back in time, exploring hidden stories, unseen memorabilia and key archival materials.
The 1950s and 1960s marked an iconic period for the Saints, defined by local derbies, emerging rugby stars and legendary tours. Visitors can immerse themselves in this history through recorded oral histories from past players and supporters, bringing the era of muddy boots, fearless tackles and iconic passion back to life.
Clare Clarke, the Foundation’s Heritage Lead has been a driving force in the project leading a team of volunteers.
She said: “This is a unique opportunity for fans and history enthusiasts to relive the glory days and gain deeper insights into the club’s past. As part of the project, we have researched a 20-year period of the club’s history, recorded over 25 hours of oral histories, and digitised and catalogued over 2,000 archive items. And we can’t wait to share some of the stories and findings.
“The 1950s and 1960s were a golden age for Northampton Saints, with legendary figures such as Jeff Butterfield, Dickie Jeeps, Bob Taylor and David Powell to name just a few, making their mark on the sport both at club and international level.
“Within the exhibition you can expect to see a range of historic photos, programmes, shirts and other memorabilia on display, and some previously unseen items such a Jeff Butterfield’s home footage from his 1959 Lions Tour in Australia and New Zealand. We are also running a range of reminiscence events with past players as part of this project.”
The exhibition is free of charge and is open to the public 10am- 3pm on May 21, 22 and 24, and on May 28, 29 and 31.
