Northampton Saints’ supporters are showing their commitment to the team in droves, with record numbers having already renewed their Season Tickets for 2016/17.
With three weeks to go until the Early Bird deadline of May 31st some six thousand Season Tickets had been ordered, representing nearly £2 million of revenue.
On the field the Saints are looking ahead positively to a new season of Aviva Premiership, European Rugby Champions Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup rugby. And off it, the revenues generated by the Season Ticket sales are giving the club’s board of directors the wherewithal to invest record amounts into the playing effort.
French number eight Louis Picamoles – regarded as arguably the best in his position in the world – heads the new signings, with experienced South African scrum-half Nic Groom joining from the Stormers.
They will be joining a group that has shown in the second half of the season that it has the depth to compete at the highest level, with players such as Teimana Harrison and Harry Mallinder stepping up to shine in domestic and European competition and be recognised with selections for England and England Under-20 respectively.
“We’re delighted by the rate of Season Ticket renewals,” said Saints chief executive Allan Robson. “We all know that our last Aviva Premiership campaign could have been better, but it says a lot about the expectations that the club’s management, coaches, players and supporters alike have now that a fifth-placed finish – just five points from the top four – and guaranteed Champions Cup rugby is considered disappointing.
“We have the highest standards and ambitions here at Franklin’s Gardens and believe that the squad has the potential and ability to get us back where we should be in 2016/17. We’ve got world class international players already here and more coming, and some of the best young talent coming through the club’s Academy to shine in the first team.
“We’ve also invested considerable time, effort and money into making match days a memorable event for supporters, and I believe that this is also influencing Season Ticket Holders to renew, knowing that they will have a great day out when they come to Franklin’s Gardens.”
Robson also told supporters to expect at least one game at stadiummk next season as the club looks to maintain the balance between investment into playing with long-term financial self-sustainability.
“We have made no secret that stadiummk gives us the opportunity to create additional revenues that we can then re-invest,” he said. “We are committed to spending the maximum possible amount in the playing effort, but we also need to remain self-sustaining from a financial perspective, especially because we are one of the few clubs to not have a single benefactor to rely on.
“The difference in the revenues created by a 15,000 crowd at Franklin’s Gardens and a 30,000 crowd at stadiummk is sizable, and makes a significant difference in the amount we can invest in the squad. There is also the added bonus of growing the club’s supporter base for the future, too.
“Last year’s Aviva Premiership game against Saracens set a record attendance for stadiummk and was a superb occasion, and we know that we can attract large crowds to what is one of the finest stadiums in the country. Jim Mallinder and the players have no fears or concerns about playing in Milton Keynes, and we’ve had some outstanding results there.
“Of course, and as we have done in the past, in the event that we move a game to Milton Keynes our Season Ticket Holders will have an equivalent seat or viewing area to what they enjoy at Franklin’s Gardens and the option to take advantage of free coach travel, and we will make any announcements in due course.”
Season Tickets are the most cost-effective way of watching the Saints in 2016/17, with supporters seeing the equivalent of SIX matches for FREE across the course of the campaign when compared to standard ticket prices.
Season Ticket Holders also get priority booking on any knockout games that the Saints may reach and free entry into all home Wanderers and Academy matches. They are also eligible to enter the members’ only ballot for England’s home international tickets, and through the automatic membership of the Saints Savers Club they can save money at a range of businesses in Northampton, including the Saints Superstore and room hire at Franklin’s Gardens.
And if you can’t make a match – for whatever reason – you can re-sell your seat, too!
For full details, including pricing and booking information, head to www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/seasontickets
