It is with great sadness that Northampton Saints announces the passing of former player Niall Bailey.
The winger passed away at the age of 90, following a short illness, having featured some 156 times in Black, Green and Gold after making his debut in 1947.
Born in Dublin, the winger enjoyed success with Leinster Schoolboys – where he helped claim the Irish Schools’ Rugby Interprovincial title aged just 17 – before donning a Saints shirt throughout the forties and fifties and scoring 74 tries in the process.
Bailey moved to England at the age of 18, where he quickly filled a vacancy at Travis & Arnold – now Travis Perkins.
A keen rugby man, Bailey thought he would try his luck at Saints by simply turning up one Saturday and with a space on the wing going spare, Bailey pulled on his boots; the rest was history.
Known for his strong running and resolute tackling, the winger made two trips back to his native Ireland with a London Irish side while with Northampton, and later was capped for Ireland on a snowy day at Twickenham in 1952.
The Bailey family would like to invite any of Niall’s friends from his Club days to his funeral at the end of the month, which will be held at St Francis Church, Kenilworth on Friday 30th August at 9.30am followed by a private family burial. Niall’s family request that no flowers are sent.
Afterwardsm, at noon, there will be a celebration of his life at The Saxon Mill, Coventry Road, Guys Cliffe, Warwick CV34 5YN. Donations in Niall’s name will be made to Myton Hospice.
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