Saints plan UK-first memorial wall for fans' ashes

Northampton Saints have applied to build a memorial wall at their stadium which would allow supporters to have their ashes interred in what the club believe would be a first for a professional club in the UK.

The Saints Memorial Wall would become part of a wider development to enhance the fan village at the Prem Rugby side's Franklin's Gardens ground.

Subject to permission from West Northamptonshire Council and sufficient interest from supporters, the project could be completed this summer.

Saints chief executive Julia Chapman said it would enable supporters to have "a place where their connection with this club can endure".

She said it would be "something truly distinctive in UK sport", and had been inspired by similar projects at Spanish football clubs Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Ashes would be interred for 50 years, with prices ranging from £4,000 to £8,000.

Chapman said the walled area would be open on non-matchdays and was part of a wider plan to develop its fan village – an area that offers entertainment and food and drink outlets.

Saints have experienced a period of sustained success on and off the pitch. They are top of this season's Prem, having won the league in 2024. They also reached last season's European Champions Cup final, finishing as runners-up.

Despite positive results and selling out season tickets, Chapman said the club was still "in the red", and it needed to look at other ways of increasing its income.

"The fact we still have a gap to close is something of a frustration and a challenge," she said.

"Diversifying our offer is part of that."

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