Saints Number: #22
Saints Career: 1895-1905
Appearances: 262
Position: Wing, Centre, Fly-half

Career Statistics

Tries: 207
Conversions: 134
Penalties: 0
Drop Goals: 7
Total Points: 920

Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2025

Billy Kingston

W.H. ‘Billy’ Kingston was the youngest of eight brothers in one of Northampton’s most prominent sporting families and became one of the greatest attacking players in Saints history.

Like his brother Tim, Kingston played for Northampton from around 1890, although surviving records begin in 1895. He captained the Club during the 1897/98, 1899/00 and 1901/02 seasons and established himself as one of the most dangerous backs of his generation.

A versatile player capable of operating on the wing, at centre or fly-half, Kingston was renowned for his pace, evasiveness and instinctive eye for the try line. A local newspaper predicted he was ‘likely to prove as good a player as his brothers’, praising his running, passing and ability to beat defenders. Across 262 recorded appearances, he scored 207 tries, 134 conversions and seven drop goals for a remarkable total of 920 points. His 207 tries remain the second-highest total in Northampton Saints history, behind only Teddy Cook.

Away from rugby, Kingston was also an accomplished cricketer. He opened the batting alongside George Thompson when Northamptonshire made their County Championship debut on 18 May 1905.

One of the defining performances of his career came on 20 November 1897, when he scored a hat-trick in a 16-8 victory over Leicester at Franklin’s Gardens. Having lost the reverse fixture just two weeks earlier, the win sparked jubilant celebrations among Saints supporters. Contemporary reports described crowds lining the route from Franklin’s Gardens to the Green Man clubhouse to congratulate the players.

Kingston’s speed became part of local folklore. His son John later recalled that Billy ‘was very quick off the mark’ and knew it was time to retire when, for the first time, he was tackled from behind.

A prolific try-scorer, inspirational captain and one of the Club’s earliest stars, Billy Kingston helped shape Northampton Saints during its formative years. His induction into the Hall of Fame in 2025, alongside his brother Tim, recognised the extraordinary contribution both men made to the Club.

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.