Rugby fan takes pains to keep tattoos up-to-date

Simon Stacey's latest tattoo - Northampton Saints' new badge

A rugby fan endured more pain to have his club's new crest tattooed on his leg - alongside the old design he was inked with a decade ago.

Simon Stacey, 42, said news of Northampton Saints' updated insignia had been "a bit of a shock", as he had did not expected to have to get another club tattoo.

The second one was paid for by Saints' CEO Mark Darbon, who told BBC Radio Northampton he did not think anyone had been inked with the old crest.

Mr Stacey, from Desborough, in Northamptonshire, said: "It looks amazing, I'm really happy with it. It did hurt a bit, but it was worth it."

Phil Bennett (left) manager of Revelation Tattoo Studio, with Simon Stacey and tattoo artist Lorand Szacaks (right)

The club, which won its first Premiership title in ten years in June 2024, said it was rethinking its crest - in place since 1984 - because it did not reflect its history.

A new design was unveiled featuring the club's colours, the year Saints began playing, and a cross - seen on players' shirts in a photograph taken in the 1880s.

The version of the updated badge that now sits proudly on Mr Stacey's leg was done at Northampton's Revelation Tattoo Studio, and took tattoo artist Lorand Szacaks about three hours.

Mr Stacey said he "really does like" the new design, adding he understood why Saints changed it.

The tattoo in progress at Revelation Tattoo Studio in Northampton