Sir Billy Boston, the Wigan Warriors legend who last year became the first rugby league player to be awarded a knighthood, has died at the age of 92.
According to The Guardian, the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed the news of Boston’s death on Tuesday, August 25, in an emotional statement.
It said, “Sir Billy Boston, one of the best loved and most iconic figures in the history of Welsh sport, has passed away peacefully at the age of 92.
“The most famous son of Tiger Bay, he died overnight in hospital in his adopted home for the past 74 years, Wigan. His death came only four days after the funeral of his wife, Lady Joan, to whom he had been married for 70 years.”
Boston was one of the finest players in the sport’s history, scoring 478 tries in 488 appearances for Wigan during a glittering career in the 1950s and 1960s that saw him become one of the great stars of the game.
Only one man, Brian Bevan, has more tries in rugby league’s history than Boston and his tally for Wigan is unlikely to ever be beaten.
Those achievements in the game saw him recognised first with an MBE in 1996, before he was awarded a knighthood for services to rugby league last summer.
At the time of the award the then prime minister, Keir Starmer, described it as a “historic wrong” that the sport had waited so long for a knighthood.
Wigan are expected to undertake a series of tributes at their Super League game against Hull KR on Thursday evening.
Mike Danson pays emotional tribute
Speaking after the news of Boston’s death was announced, Wigan’s owner Mike Danson said, “Billy Boston was everybody’s hero, including my mum’s.
His achievements in rugby league were extraordinary, and his knighthood was a fitting recognition of a career that brought great credit to Wigan and to the game.
“But Billy’s legacy was not simply what he achieved. It was the humility with which he carried it. Despite everything he accomplished, he remained a quiet, dignified and deeply respected man. He leaves behind an example that will endure for generations.”
Boston joined Wigan in 1953 for a fee of £3,000, following an unremarkable spell in rugby union in his native Wales.
Boston won the Challenge Cup on three occasions with Wigan as well as a solitary First Division title and after a brief spell with Blackpool Borough before retiring in 1970.
