Billy Boston paved the way for black athletes in the 1950s and 60s, cementing his legacy as he received rugby league’s debut knighthood. This monumental recognition saw Sir Billy honoured by King Charles at a private ceremony inside Buckingham Palace.
His contribution to the sport is nothing short of remarkable; the Welsh-born icon scored an astonishing 478 tries across 488 matches for Wigan following his transition from rugby union back in 1953.
The pioneering sportsman marked a historic moment in 1954 by being the first non-white player picked for the Great Britain rugby league Lions’ tour. Making waves across Australia and New Zealand, Sir Billy’s prowess on the pitch was undeniable, racking up 36 tries in just 18 games, including a record-breaking quartet against the Kiwis in a single match.
He continued to dazzle on two additional Lions tours in 1958 and 1962, concluding his international career with 24 tries from 31 Test appearances for Great Britain. Now 90, Sir Billy has fought battles both on and off the field, having publicly shared his experience of living with vascular dementia since 2016.
Acknowledgement of Sir Billy’s impact extended to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who recognised the delay in honouring a rugby league player with a knighthood as a “historic wrong”. Praising Sir Billy’s trailblazing legacy, Sir Keir stated: “Billy Boston is a true trailblazer whose 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.”
The Prime Minister has extended heartfelt congratulations to Sir Billy in a recent letter, honouring his incredible contribution.
Reacting to his father’s knighthood, Sir Billy’s son Stephen expressed his joy, remarking: “It’s a really great honour. I think it has come a little bit late. It could have come a little bit earlier.
“It should have been a lot, a lot sooner, 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.”
His wife, Joan Boston, shared her immense pride, acknowledging how her husband’s dedication to rugby league and their community has finally gained recognition: “Billy’s family are so proud of him and so excited that everything he’s done for the sport and for our community is being recognised. He is a wonderful person who has always loved rugby league and all of the people involved in the sport.
“We were very moved to see local councillors, the MP and so many local people supporting the campaign to make this happen. I hope this inspires more young people to get involved in rugby league and to cheer on their players.”
Sir Billy’s well-deserved knighthood follows an impassioned campaign by political figures and rugby league luminaries, recognising his exceptional impact on the sport.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons and ex-president of the Rugby Football League, hailed Billy Boston as a “rugby league legend and his name is synonymous with the sport, having played for Wigan, as well as representing Great Britain.
“Billy was one of the ‘codebreakers’ from the Cardiff Bay area, who took the brave decision to switch from rugby union to rugby league – and faced hostility and prejudice as a result. However, his courage not only inspired future rugby greats to switch codes but it also encouraged generations of youngsters to take up the sport.
“Billy’s strong running style, pace and agility were feared and admired by supporters and opponents alike and he remains Wigan’s top try scorer to this day.
“He was a pioneer in the 1950s when he switched codes and is a pioneer to this day by ensuring rugby league gets the recognition it deserves. His story shows there should be no barriers to achieving your potential and that is what makes the knighthood so fitting.”
Wales rugby league expressed their joy, stating: “Llongyfarchiadau Billy Boston. We are delighted that he is to be made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire and become Sir William John Boston KBE. It is a well-deserved honour for the second highest try scorer in rugby league history.”
Mike Nicholas MBE, President of Wales Rugby League, commented: “It’s wonderful for Billy and for the sport of rugby league, it’s a first for our sport and there’s no-one who deserves it more than Billy. It’s brilliant that he’s going to be honoured in this way, massive congratulations to him.”
Wigan Warriors shared: “Everybody at Wigan Warriors is today filled with joy at the news that Billy Boston, Wigan’s greatest player, will be made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire and becomes Sir William John Boston KBE.”
Born on August 6, 1934, as the sixth child of 11 to an Irish mother, Nellie, and a father from Sierra Leone, John, in Butetown, Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Billy Boston’s journey is nothing short of inspirational.
His early working life consisted of manufacturing rubber dinghies and parachutes but it was clear from the age of 17 that his real talent lay in rugby, which led him to play for the Cardiff International Athletic Club.
His outstanding abilities soon caught the attention of rugby league clubs, especially after his national service from 1952 where he played rugby union for the Royal Signals; prompting Wigan to secure his services with a £3,000 signature fee on Friday March 13, 1953.
He was a club legend for 15 seasons, playing his last game in April 1968. During his tenure, he clinched seven major honours.