Bio

Years: 1880-1893

Club Secretary
Match Secretary

Born in 1864, Albert Orton was a hugely significant figure in the early years of the Club – firstly as a player and then as an administrator. 

As a fine all-round sportsman, Orton was one of the original boys who joined Reverend Wigg’s ‘Improvement Class’ at the age of 14. The exact number of appearances he made for the Club has been lost, but he was a key part of Northampton’s team – playing in the pack or as a three-quarter.  

He was a regular try-scorer in the early years and captained the side for three seasons between 1890 and 1893.

But, he is better remembered for his off-field exploits having held an official position at the Club from 1886 to 1922. He gave up playing in 1894 and took up various administrative roles, including Club Secretary and Match Secretary.

Orton was made a life member of Saints in 1905, and continued to arrange fixtures for Saints until he finally retired in 1922, having arranged every fixture Saints had played for 36 years.

He declined a testimonial, saying the work had been a pleasure and that the “position the club held in the rugby world was ample reward”. He died in Stony Stratford in 1924 aged 60.