Saints Number: #21
Saints Career: 1895-1905
Appearances: 264
Position: Half-back

Career Statistics

Tries: 117
Conversions: 97
Penalties: 15
Drop Goals: 38
Total Points: 710

Representative Honours

East Midlands

Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2025

Tim Kingston

H.E. ‘Tim’ Kingston was a member of one of Northampton’s most celebrated sporting families during the late Victorian era. Alongside his brother Billy, he represented both Northampton Saints and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, helping the county in its campaign to secure first-class status.

Although he first played for Saints around 1890, surviving records begin in 1895. A gifted half-back and prolific points scorer, Kingston made 264 recorded appearances and amassed 710 points. His tally included 117 tries, 97 conversions, 15 penalties and 38 drop goals. His try-scoring record places him among the Club’s greatest finishers, while his 38 drop goals remain the highest recorded total by any Saints player.

Kingston was also a distinguished leader. He captained Northampton during the 1898/99, 1902/03 and 1903/04 seasons and regularly represented the East Midlands. Despite his accomplishments, he never received an England cap.

Contemporary reports suggest that an untimely shoulder injury may have cost him international recognition. Following a victory over Richmond during the 1898/99 season, an end-of-season review noted that the injury had sidelined Kingston for several weeks and had ‘probably prevented him from getting his International cap’, adding that before being injured he had been playing better than ever.

The Kingston brothers became renowned not only for their ability but also for their remarkable stamina and longevity. Both competed at the highest level for around 15 years and earned regular praise in match reports. After the family moved to Long Buckby, local legend held that Tim and Billy would run the ten miles home after matches and training sessions at Franklin’s Gardens.

A prolific scorer, influential captain and one of the defining players of Saints’ formative years, Tim Kingston left an indelible mark on the Club. His induction into the Hall of Fame in 2025, alongside his brother Billy, recognised a remarkable contribution to Northampton Saints and ensured his place among the Club’s early greats.

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.