Hall of Fame: Hartley, Harris, Phillips and Kingston brothers announced as final five inductees of 2025
Northampton Saints legends Dylan Hartley, Billy and Tim Kingston, Thomas Harris and Jon Phillips have all been revealed as the final 2025 inductees to the Club’s prestigious Hall of Fame.
The five players will be inducted alongside Jim Mallinder, Stephen Myler, Keith Savage and Frank Packman at a special event on Thursday 20 November at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
After a three-year hiatus, one of the most exclusive and eagerly-anticipated events in Northampton Saints’ calendar, the Hall of Fame Dinner, is back.
Established in 2004, the Hall of Fame is a cherished tradition, honouring those who have made an extraordinary impact in the Black, Green and Gold. Guests for the event will enjoy a three-course meal in the Rodber Bar, with Club Historian and BBC journalist Graham McKechnie hosting what promises to be an unforgettable evening of celebration and inspiration.
The last cohort – Keith Barwell OBE, Ian Hunter, Steve Thompson, Albert Orton, Blair Swannell, Freddie Blakiston, Peter Larter, and Barry Oldham – were inducted in 2022, and now a new group of legendary Saints will be celebrated this November.
Event Details: Northampton Saints Hall of Fame Dinner 2025
DATE: Thursday 20 November
TIME: 6.30pm arrival (7pm start)
LOCATION: Rodber Bar, cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
FOOD: Three-course meal included
DRESS CODE: Lounge suits and cocktail dresses
HOST: BBC Radio Northampton’s Graham McKechnie
PRICE: £120pp (plus VAT)
Dylan Hartley (Saint #1808)
The Rotorua-born front rower first arrived at Franklin’s Gardens in the summer of 2005, joining the Club’s Academy set-up before making his first-team debut in September of that year against East Midlands rivals, Leicester Tigers.
Named Club captain for the first time in 2009 at just 23 years old, Hartley became the youngest Premiership skipper, and his first six-year stint leading the side saw an incredible run that saw Saints win a PREM title, two European Challenge Cups, and an Anglo-Welsh Cup to boot.
Hartley’s international career spanned a decade and will go down as one of the most successful of the modern era, as he represented the Red Rose on 97 occasions and led the side for 30 Tests as captain.
Jon Phillips (Saint #1616)
Jon Phillips made his debut for Northampton Saints at just 16 years old, stepping onto the pitch against Rugby Lions in the old First Division – a remarkable achievement that marked the beginning of a long and distinguished career. A robust and dependable lock, Phillips went on to make 322 appearances for the Club, and he remains Saints’ third-highest appearance-maker in the Premiership as a lock.
He played and scored in Northampton’s first-ever Premiership match in August 1997, and was part of the legendary squad that lifted the Heineken Cup in 2000, coming off the bench to help Saints defend a narrow 9-8 lead against Munster.
Following his professional career, Phillips led the rugby programme at Moulton College for 11 years, overseeing the AASE development pathway for Saints.
Thomas Harris (Saint #611)
With an astonishing 426 caps to his name during a 14-year playing career with Northampton Saints, Harris makes it into the top-five appearance makers in the Club’s history after debuting in 1923, and given the attritional nature of today’s game, he could well stay there forever.
He also represented his country twice, pulling on the England jersey in Five Nations clashes against Scotland and Ireland.
Tim Kingston (Saint #21) and Billy Kingston (Saint #22)
The Kingstons were two of nine brothers from a remarkable family, with eight of them all playing cricket for Northamptonshire and three of them playing rugby for Northampton Saints.
Billy (312) and Tim (268) collectively made 580 appearances for the Club having debuted in 1891 and 1893 respectively.
Billy, a dangerous three-quarter, captained the team from 1895 to 1904, and only missed out on the Lions tour to Australia due to business commitments. Tim, the youngest of the brothers, narrowly missed out on an international cap but was first reserve several times.
Together, Billy and Tim led Saints during period of unprecedented success. Following their retirement in 1905, a dinner was held which featured recently-retired Northamptonshire cricket captain Tom Horton, who paid a glowing tribute to the Kingston brothers, stating ‘they have left behind them a great tradition for young Northants to follow’.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special night – secure your tickets now for £120pp (plus VAT) and join us in celebrating the legends and legacy of Northampton Saints. For more information, please email events@northamptonsaints.co.uk.