Sir Billy Boston - Rugby League is Acknowledged Finally!
- Super League Raw
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
Sir Billy Boston, a Cardiff-born dynamo on August 6, 1934, had roots stretching to Ireland and Sierra Leone. This rugby legend hopped over to Wigan in March 1953, initially heading north for military duty in North Yorkshire. Fast forward eight months, and he’s dazzling at Central Park, starting an epic run of 488 games and a staggering 478 tries! With three Challenge Cup Final victories out of six at Wembley under his belt, he was a force to be reckoned with.
In 1954, Billy made history, breaking barriers as the first non-white player to join the Great Britain Rugby League Lions tour, chalking up 36 tries in 18 matches across Australia and New Zealand. His try-scoring prowess included a record four in a single game against the Kiwis. He wasn't done yet, though, joining two more tours in 1958 and 1962, tallying 24 tries in 31 Test appearances for Great Britain, plus another 53 from 27 extra tour matches.
Billy's career, which wrapped up at 36 with a brief stint at Blackpool Borough, saw him score a whopping 571 tries, placing him second only to Brian Bevan, who racked up 796 tries mostly for Warrington.
Billy stayed near his old stomping grounds in Wigan, running The Griffin pub in Standishgate until 1995. His accolades kept coming, with an MBE in 1996 and a spot as one of the first Rugby League Hall of Fame inductees in 1998, soon followed by the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. The freedom of Wigan was his in 2000, and his legacy stands tall with statues in Wigan, Wales, and Wembley.
Tributes
“I'm so proud that Billy, my constituent, a hero of Rugby League, will now be Sir Billy Boston.
It's a special moment for his family, the town, and the sport. Presenting Billy with a letter about his knighthood was an emotional moment and I’m honoured to be supporting Billy and his family at the Palace.
Billy is a remarkable man. He was spurned by Cardiff and South Africa because of his race, but welcomed by Wigan and went on to be Rugby League’s greatest ever player.
Finally, Rugby League is getting the recognition it deserves, after years of being overlooked and belittled as a 'northern sport'. I’m so that Billy will forever be the first Rugby League player to be knighted. Nobody could be more deserving.”
Josh Simons, the MP for Makerfield
I can think of no better candidate to become Rugby League’s first knight than Billy Boston. In his career and in his life he has overcome racial and class prejudice, achieving huge success on the pitch and leaving a lasting legacy in our communities and on our national sporting landscape.
It is a scandal that it has taken 130 years for a Rugby League player to be given the highest honour. As Chair of the APPG for Rugby League since last summer I’ve raised this in public and in private, and I would like to thank the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Makerfield MP Josh Simons, the Rugby Football League, and all those who have campaigned for this for so long.
I am absolutely delighted for Billy and his family and for our game as a whole. This is a huge moment, and I will be continuing to fight to make sure it isn’t the last time one of our players is recognised in this way. We have lots of very worthy candidates.
All my congratulations go to Sir Billy Boston MBE for this achievement. He has led the way throughout his life, and now he does so again. We should all be grateful.
David Baines MP, the Chair of Rugby League’s All-Party Parliamentary Group
Congratulations Sir Billy 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I am absolutely delighted and so happy that Billy – and Rugby League – will finally receive the ultimate recognition his stellar career deserves by being appointed to a Knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Chris Brookes Wigan Chairman
One of the biggest thrills in my ownership of Wigan Rugby League Club has been enjoying the company of Billy Boston. Without doubt Billy was a player who was – and still is – the biggest crowd favourite in Rugby League.
He is my mum Jean’s favourite player – they are of the same age! She remains in awe of the great man and his Rugby League legacy – not least his 478 tries in 487 magical games for the Club!
I am therefore thrilled that at long last, Billy will be appointed as Rugby League’s first Knight! A richly deserved honour which means this most humble of men, rightly receives at last, fitting recognition for his extraordinary efforts.
Many congratulations to Billy, his wife Joan and the family on this magnificent achievement.
Mike Danson - Wigan Owner
On behalf of the Rugby Football League, and the sport of Rugby League, it is a privilege to congratulate Sir Billy Boston on his knighthood.
Sir Billy deserves to be recognised as an iconic figure in the history of British sport, for the way he overcame prejudice in his journey from working-class Cardiff to legendary status in Wigan, and became the most prolific British try-scorer in the 130-year history of Rugby League.
This recognition is also significant for Rugby League, as Sir Billy becomes the first person to be knighted as a direct result of his achievements in the sport.
Tony Sutton - Chief Executive of the RFL
Many legends have blazed trails for today’s superstars, setting the gold standard both on and off the field. But none did it quite like Sir Billy Boston! His on-field magic spun tales that Grandads eagerly pass down to Grandkids both sides of the Pennines. His name echoes through the halls of greatness, and now he’s donned a shiny new title—Knight of the Realm! A massive cheer from the Super League Raw Community for this well-earned, perfectly fitting honour. Billy may be the first, but trust us, the knightly procession has only just begun!
David Cain - Super League Raw
Comments