Family trying to honour mum’s dying wish to have her coffin carried by Northampton Saints players

A much-loved woman and dedicated Northampton Saints fan always told her family that she wanted her coffin to be carried by ‘her boys’ who she watched for ‘years and years’.

Helen Palmer, who was a Saints season ticket holder until it became too difficult for her to get to Franklin’s Gardens, lost her battle with cervical cancer last week.

The 62-year-old died at her Delapre home with her husband David by her side on February 19 - the day after the couple’s 42nd wedding anniversary.

Helen’s family is now trying to make her last wish, to have her coffin carried by Saints players, come true.

Katherine Palmer, one of Helen’s three children, said: “She loved ‘her boys’ as she called them. Mum’s favourite players were Courtney Lawes, Dylan Hartley and Ben Cohen.

“She was a season ticket holder but it became more difficult for her to get there so she had to give up her season ticket and she started paying for tickets when she could go down or she’d watch them on the TV when they were on.

“Mum even went to one of the World Cups when some of the Saints players were playing.

“She had signed shirts, flags and all sorts - she loved her boys.”

Helen, who has nine grandchildren, was a familiar face at the Saints’ home ground, according to Katherine.

And her dedication to the team and love for the players can be seen in what her last wish was.

Katherine added: “Mum always used to say: ‘when I go down I want my boys to carry me’. It was on her bucket list.

“They are busy people, I fully understand that and I know that we would never get all the players, but it would be amazing if we could realise her wish for her.

“That is what she wanted and it would make my dad’s day as well.”

The family has been contact with the club to ask if it would be a possibility at all, or of there is anything else that could be done.

In the meantime, the family is confirming funeral details, but they do know that the funeral will have a theme based around the Saints colours.