Saints ready to reward season ticket holders for showing loyalty

Northampton have sold a record 10,000 season tickets ahead of the forthcoming campaign, but there will be less games in that package.

That is because there is no LV= Cup during the 2015/16 season due to the Rugby World Cup.

The tournament, which will be held on home soil, means the start of the Aviva Premiership season has been pushed back to mid-October.

The Anglo-Welsh competition has been scrapped to ensure all Premiership and European fixtures can be fitted in.

That means season ticket holders lose two home group stage matches and they will also miss out on pre-season games at Franklin’s Gardens this year.

Saints are unable to use the stadium as they continue to build the new Barwell Stand, meaning trips to Saracens and Wasps in preparation for the start of the league campaign.

And in addition to that, Saints’ first home Premiership match will be at stadium:mk, against Newcastle Falcons, though that game is included in the price of the season ticket.

Hewitt recognises some supporters may be disappointed at losing out on clashes they would usually enjoy, but he insists the club are taking steps to reward 
fans for their continued backing.

“The good news is that we’ve sold 10,000 season tickets, which is a record for us,” Hewitt said. “We’re very aware of the loyal support we get from our fans.

“We’ve been hit with two things this year in that the World Cup means we can’t start the Premiership until mid-October and also we’ve got the construction of the Barwell Stand.

“That redevelopment does affect what we can do here but what we’re looking at is thanking our supporters in some way.

“We’re looking at ways we can do that and we will announce that with the season tickets when they are sent to everybody.”

And he added: “Reimbursing is not the right word to use. What we’re doing is thanking loyal supporters for their continued support.

“We’re looking at ways in which we can say thank-you to them and all will be revealed when we send out the season tickets.”

Saints’ first Premiership game in front of the Barwell Stand will be against Saracens on November 7.

And Hewitt admits the club, who travel to Worcester Warriors for their league curtain raiser - on October 16 - couldn’t have asked for a much better opening match at the Gardens.

“It’s becoming common for us to meet in big games,” he said. “It will be very exciting.

“I’m sure they’ll be trying to spoil our party of having the first seating on the new stand available.”