Latest news with #SirBillyBoston
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Wigan star Sir Billy Boston becomes first rugby league player to receive a knighthood
'Trailblazing' rugby league star Sir Billy Boston's honour came 'a little bit late', his son said, as his father became a knight in a first for the sport. Sir Billy, who scored 478 tries in 488 matches for Wigan after making the switch from rugby union in 1953, was knighted by the King in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The 90-year-old, who was born in Wales, revealed in 2016 that he was living with vascular dementia. Speaking after his father was knighted, Sir Billy's son Stephen said: 'It's a really great honour. I think it has come a little bit late. It could have come a little bit earlier.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Rugby league's first knight, Sir Billy Boston, can inspire today's generation
RUGBY league's first ever knight, Sir Billy Boston, is as relevant to today's generation at Wigan as he was his own, boss Matt Peet believes. The Welsh wonder was confirmed as the 13-a-side code's inaugural Sir in 130 years of existence in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace today. After scoring 571 tries in 564 career appearances following a £3,000 switch after playing for Pontypridd and Neath RU, the 90-year-old has inspired many since. And Peet, who has had Boston in speaking to his side, feels the way he conquered adversity, including racism, can apply now. He said: 'There are always lessons to learn from the past and in that era in sport there were trailblazers who faced tough conditions and treatment. 'There's no doubt that paved the way for other people and Billy certainly falls into the category of being an unstoppable force. No matter what people thought of race or class during that time, he let his rugby do the talking. 'I don't think Billy's that comfortable speaking about his own achievements, but he's a huge presence. He's part of the team at Wigan. 'When I say to fans, 'Who's your favourite?' It's almost like, 'It's Billy, then we'll talk about everyone else.' 'He's an iconic figure and to consider him a friend and speak to him at games is a privilege. Hopefully there's more to come for the game.' The man from Tiger Bay has three statues - at Wigan, Wembley and Cardiff Bay. Little wonder for a trailblazer, the first non-white player to be selected by Great Britain to tour Australia and New Zealand in 1954. He won 32 caps, scoring 25 tries, and helped them win the World Cup in 1960, as well as Ashes Series against Australia at home in 1956/1957 and 1959/1960, and away in 1962. Boston scooped seven major honours at Wigan - for whom he scored 478 tries in 488 games, including three or more on 51 occasions - records that remain intact. 3 Yet after hanging up his boots, many more followed. An MBE came in 1996 after he was inducted into the Rugby League and the Welsh Sports Halls of Fame. He became an honorary freeman of Wigan in 2000 and received BBC Wales' Elite Lifetime Achievement award in 2016. Warriors owner Mike Danson said: 'One of the biggest thrills in my ownership has been enjoying the company of Billy Boston. 'Without doubt, he 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 legacy. 3 'I am 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.' Another legend, Ellery Hanley, added: 'Billy was super world class. He had gone beyond anything else and what anyone else has done. His exploits on the field were remarkable – he was dynamite in every aspect of the game.' Congratulations also came from Boston's homeland as Wales Rugby League chairman James Davies said: "He has inspired so many and it's part of our responsibility to ensure his story will continue to do so for years to come.' Josh Simons, the MP for Makerfield, where Sir Billy lives, said: 'I'm so proud that Billy, my constituent, a hero of rugby league, will now be Sir Billy Boston. Presenting Billy with a letter about his knighthood was an emotional moment. 'Billy is a remarkable man.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Rugby league star Sir Billy Boston's knighthood ‘a little bit late', says son
'Trailblazing' rugby league star Sir Billy Boston's honour came 'a little bit late', his son said, as his father became a knight in a first for the sport. Sir Billy, who scored 478 tries in 488 matches for Wigan after making the switch from rugby union in 1953, was knighted by the King in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The 90-year-old, who was born in Wales, revealed in 2016 that he was living with vascular dementia. Speaking after his father was knighted, Sir Billy's son Stephen said: 'It's a really great honour. I think it has come a little bit late. It could have come a little bit earlier.' Sir Billy's knighthood was awarded before the latest round of honours has been publicly announced, amid concerns for his health. It comes after a campaign by local councillors, MPs and leading figures in the sport to get him honoured – and Sir Billy's family were supported by Josh Simons, the MP for Wakerfield, near Wigan, at the event. 'It should have been a lot, a lot sooner,' Sir Billy's son told the PA news agency. '130 years before a rugby league player got knighted. 'We're all really appreciative, and very appreciative of all the support we've got from Wigan, the rugby league club, the local MP and all the fans.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was an 'historic wrong' that no rugby league player had been knighted before. He said: 'Billy Boston is a true trailblazer who has contributed hugely to rugby league. It is a historic wrong that a sport which is the backbone of so many communities has waited so long to receive this honour. 'Boston is a legend of the game who overcame prejudice to represent Great Britain and opened the door to a more diverse game. 'He's left a truly enduring legacy and the first knighthood in rugby league could not go to a more deserving player.' It is understood the Prime Minister has written to Sir Billy to congratulate him on the honour. In 1954, he made history as the first non-white player to be selected for a Great Britain rugby league Lions tour, scoring 36 tries in 18 appearances around Australia and New Zealand, including a then-record four in one match against the Kiwis. He made two more Lions tours in 1958 and 1962 and ended with 24 tries in 31 Test appearances for Great Britain.
