Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston has died aged 92. The Welshman is recognised as a trailblazer for black sports stars during the 1950s and 1960s, making 488 appearances for Wigan.
A pioneer for Great Britain
Boston became the first non-white player to represent Great Britain during a Lions tour in 1954. He scored 36 tries in 18 appearances in Australia and New Zealand. In 2025, he became rugby league's first player ever in its 130-year history to receive a knighthood.
Born in Cardiff in 1934, Boston had a brief spell in rugby union before switching to league, spending 15 years at Wigan and crossing the line 478 times. He won the Challenge Cup on three occasions with Wigan, adding the First Division, Lancashire League and Lancashire Cup to his collection.
World Cup winner and honours
He was part of the Great Britain teams that won the Ashes Series in 1956/57, 1959/60 and 1962. Boston crossed the line in the 10-3 win over Australia as they were crowned World Cup winners in 1960.
He received an MBE in 1999 after being inducted into three halls of fame: the Rugby Football League Hall of Fame, Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame in 1988, 1990 and 1998, respectively.
Celebration and tribute
After receiving his knighthood, there was a night of celebration for Boston when Wigan Warriors ran out 30-10 winners against Huddersfield Giants. Sir Billy was treated to Russell Watson's performance of Abide with Me while sitting on his throne with a tifo unveiled.
Warriors coach Matt Peet said: "A showpiece occasion and a credit to him. It’s a celebration of Billy Boston, isn’t it? But I think it was a celebration of rugby league, overcoming adversity, working classes, just welcoming all, and that’s what this club is about and what this game is about, and that’s why Billy is the icon that he is."
In 2016, Boston was diagnosed with vascular dementia, and his death comes just three weeks after his wife, Lady Joan Boston, died at the age of 90.
