“There Will Always Be Saturday”: Becoming the ‘self-proclaimed’ Best 3rd XV in the UK

As featured in The Times: “The heart and soul of rugby lives here.” What readers are saying: “This isn’t just a book, this is scripture.” “I read it with tears in my eyes — it captures everything special about club rugby.” “A love letter to team sports and the friendships that shape us.” For more than a decade, the Old Northamptonians 3rd XV fought, laughed, stumbled, and triumphed their way through the heart of Northampton rugby. What began as a scratch side on the brink of collapse became a team that defined a club — and a community. In this warm and often hilarious memoir, Stuart MacDonald charts the unlikely rise of the self‑proclaimed best 3rd XV in the UK. From chaotic away days and last‑minute call‑ups to league titles, unforgettable characters, and the quiet heroism of simply turning up, this is grass‑roots rugby in all its messy, brilliant glory. Set against the backdrop of Billing Road and shaped by the legacy of those who came before, There Will Always Be Saturday captures what rugby truly means: resilience, belonging, and the unbreakable bond of a Saturday. A story of leadership, loyalty, and the team that refused to disappear — and the people who made it unforgettable. If you’ve ever laced up your boots, stood on a touchline, or found a home in a club, this story will feel like coming back to the changing room. To find out more or share your own stories: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/stuart-macdonald/home Email: smacdonald.growth@gmail.com X: https://x.com/Stu__MacDonald