Summary

  • Northampton Saints celebrated their first Premiership title since 2014 with a trophy parade through the town

  • Thousands of fans lined the streets

  • Celebrations started from Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens at 14:00 BST

  • The parade finished at the Guildhall in St Giles Square in the town

  1. Farewell from us - and congratulations to Northampton Saintspublished at 16:12 9 June

    That's it for our live coverage of the celebratory parade - thank you for joining us, and congratulations to Northampton Saints on their victory!

    Alex Moon says goodbye to fansImage source, Harriet Heywood/BBC
    Image caption,

    What a season it has been for Northampton Saints - one no one will forget anytime soon

    The players have departed on their open-top bus and the streets are now back to normal for a Sunday afternoon.

    The scenes following the Northampton Saints open-top bus paradeImage source, Harriet Heywood/BBC
  2. View from the open-top buspublished at 16:09 9 June

    Media caption,

    Watch: More video from the Northampton Saints bus parade

  3. Fans still chantingpublished at 16:05 9 June

    The team bus has driven off, the crowds are thinning out, but some fans don't want this moment of rugby history to end - they're still chanting.

    A young Saints fan with his own version of the Premiership trophyImage source, Harriet Heywood/BBC
    Image caption,

    Fans are heading off after a memorable afternoon

  4. 'These fans are unbelievable, we wanted to do it for them'published at 15:54 9 June

    Media caption,

    'These fans are unbelievable, we wanted to do it for them'

  5. Farewell boys, you've done Northampton proudpublished at 15:48 9 June

    The players are heading back onto the bus.

    What a weekend. What a season. What a club.

    The Saints players head back onto the busesImage source, Harriet Heywood/BBC
    Image caption,

    Celebrations are slowly wrapping up in Northampton

    Saints players on the open-top buses at the end of the celebrationsImage source, Harriet Heywood/BBC
    Image caption,

    Players wave farewell to the fans in the town centre

    Saints players on the buses heading out of the town centreImage source, Harriet Heywood/BBC
    Image caption,

    Farewell boys

  6. Alex Moon is in demandpublished at 15:45 9 June

    Alex Moon meeting the fansImage source, Harriet Heywood/BBC
    Image caption,

    Alex Moon enjoys a last chance to meet fans before he leaves the club

  7. A chance to meet your heroespublished at 15:43 9 June

    The players are now out meeting fans in the crowd - signing autographs and taking photos.

    Fans are being given memories to last a lifetime.

    Courtney Lawes signs a fans rugby ballImage source, James Burridge/BBC
    Image caption,

    Young fans meeting one of their rugby heroes

  8. Tommy Freeman delights seven-year-old Finnpublished at 15:42 9 June

    Harriet Heywood
    BBC News, reporting in Northampton

    Finn, 7, met one of his Northampton heroes - winger Tommy Freeman.

    Finn's dad, Giles, said: "[Finn] has been really excited and we managed to get through the crowds so Tommy Freeman could sign our ball."

    Finn with his dad GilesImage source, Harriet Heywood/BBC
    Image caption,

    Finn met some of the players

  9. Paul Hill: 'I call this my home now'published at 15:37 9 June

    Prop forward Paul Hill admitted feeling hungover after last night's celebrations.

    "We had a big do," he said.

    Hill, who is among those leaving the club, external, was in reflective mood about his time at the club

    "I have loved every second of being at Northampton," said the England international.

    "I have been here nine years. I call this my home now."

  10. Watch: The moment the trophy was liftedpublished at 15:33 9 June

    Media caption,

    Watch: The moment the trophy was lifted

  11. Courtney Lawes: 'We can sail off into the sunset'published at 15:32 9 June

    Courtney Lawes described the last 24 hours as "very stressful", but said he was happy he was able to give back to the club.

    "I was pretty livid at how we played but we got the win, and sometimes you just have to find a way to win," he explained.

    "This season has been class, regardless of what happened yesterday. It would have left a sour taste in the mouth if we hadn't got that win as we were the best team.

    "We can sail off into the sunset," he said.

    Courtney Lawes on stage talking to Northampton Saints fansImage source, James Burridge/BBC
  12. 'I'm not an emotional mother, but today got to me', says Saints legend's mumpublished at 15:30 9 June

    Val Lawes, mother of Courtney - another player who is leaving the club - described the win as "special".

    "The home fans are amazing, thank you all for coming. It's absolutely brilliant," she said.

    "It's even more special because it's the last one for so many of these role models, with Alex going and Courtney. What a way to end.

    "I'm not an emotional mother but today got to me, it really did."

    Val LawesImage source, Rob Constantin/BBC
    Image caption,

    Val Lawes' son Courtney Lawes will play in France next season

  13. Watch: 'They have just made Northampton so proud'published at 15:29 9 June

    Media caption,

    'They have just made Northampton so proud'

  14. Alex Moon: 'This is everything I could have hoped it could be'published at 15:22 9 June

    Northampton Saints lock Alex Moon, who is leaving the Saints, said: "This is everything I could have hoped it could be.

    "As a follower of all sport, every sport, you dream of winning your league. This has been everything. It's been awesome."

  15. A moment to savour - the trophy is lifted!published at 15:14 9 June

    What a moment for town and club - it'll give you goosebumps!

    Northampton Saints players lift the Premiership trophy in front of fansImage source, James Burridge/BBC
    Image caption,

    The trophy is back in Northampton for the first time in 10 years

    Northampton Saints address the fansImage source, Harriet Heywood/BBC
    Image caption,

    Saints players sing to the crowds

  16. 'We were emotionally drained'published at 15:10 9 June

    Harriet Heywood
    BBC News, reporting in Northampton

    Matthew Fell described Saturday's emotional rollercoaster of a final.

    "Credit to Bath, they didn't make it easy.

    "After the match we were emotionally drained. We had Bath fans coming over to us saying 'Cheer up lads, you won'.

    "But the Saints are great for this town. We're lucky to have them."

    Luke Doran and Matthew Fell wearing team blazers at the celebrationsImage source, Harriet Heywood/BBC
    Image caption,

    Luke Doran (left) and Matthew Fell described Saturday's win as "emotionally draining"

  17. 'It's a fairytale' - Lewis Ludlampublished at 15:05 9 June

    Lewis Ludlam, who will be leaving the team and heading over to France next season, is speaking about the historic win.

    "We've dreamt of this for a long time now... to finally get it across the line is a fairytale," he said.

    "We know we weren't playing the way we wanted to, we left a lot out of there, but this group has a lot of trust in what we're doing.

    "There is so much love in this group at the moment."

    Lewis LudlamImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Lewis Ludlam is leaving Northampton Saints

  18. Plenty more celebrations to comepublished at 14:58 9 June

    Now the Premiership-winning Saints have arrived at the Guildhall, we're expecting several interviews to take place.

    There will be some musical performances, as well as "other exciting activities", the club teased on Saturday.

    The players are also expected to mingle with the crowd.

  19. Watch: Parade buses arrive to jubilant crowd in town centrepublished at 14:53 9 June

    Media caption,

    Parade buses arrive to jubilant crowd in town centre

  20. Team welcomed on stage at the Guildhallpublished at 14:52 9 June

    The team is on stage and has been presented to the vast crowd at the Guildhall.

    Interviews with individual players are expected to take place soon.