JON PHILLIPS
THE FORMER NORTHAMPTON AND BEDFORD LOCK

Times have changed a bit since I played (and scored) in Saints’ first-ever Premiership match back in August 1997.
There were around 6,000 in the ground, a lot then, and Franklin’s Gardens still had the old wooden stand and the man in a rowing boat behind one of the goals to fish balls out of a lake. I also remember Jason Leonard eating a cheeseburger just before kick-off!
I’d been playing for Saints for quite a few years, having been spotted by Geoff Wright and Keith Picton, two youth team coaches who had a huge impact...