Barry Oldham
Barry Oldham
Saints Number: #1322
Saints Career: 1964-1978
Appearances: 337
Position: Wing
Career Statistics
Tries: 185
Total Points: 635
Hall of Fame
Inducted: 2022
Barry Oldham
Barry Oldham ranks among the greatest try scorers in Northampton Saints history and remains one of the most popular wingers ever to represent the Club.
Across 14 seasons at Franklin’s Gardens, Oldham made 337 appearances and scored a remarkable 185 tries. Only Billy Kingston and Teddy Cook have scored more tries for Northampton, and his total remains one of the most impressive achievements in the Club’s record books.
A cousin of Saints players Dick and Roger Turnell, Oldham displayed sporting talent from an early age. He represented Towcester Grammar School’s First XV at just 13 years old, initially playing at scrum-half before eventually finding his true calling on the wing.
Oldham became one of Franklin’s Gardens’ biggest crowd favourites during the late 1960s and early 1970s. His most extraordinary campaign came in 1969/70 when he equalled the Club record for tries in a single season, scoring 33 in just 33 matches. That record remains shared with Frank Packman.
Away from the field he stood out from the traditional rugby image of the era. His longer hair and fashionable style occasionally raised eyebrows, but Oldham cared little for convention, maintaining that performances on the pitch were what mattered most.
Supporters also knew him affectionately as ‘Doris’, a nickname bestowed by Club captain Ron Jacobs during a post-match debrief. Alongside fellow wing Glen Robertson, Oldham became one half of ‘Glenda and Doris’, and the name stuck.
His induction into the Northampton Saints Hall of Fame in 2022 recognised a player whose try-scoring exploits and popularity secured his place among the Club’s greatest attacking talents.
Hall of Fame profiles have been researched and compiled, with the Club’s grateful thanks, by the volunteers of Northampton Saints Foundation’s Heritage Department – whose work helps preserve and share the rich history of Northampton Saints.