Vale Sir Billy Boston

Tributes have poured in from around the world after the passing of Sir Billy Boston, the first rugby league player to receive a knighthood.

Boston, who passed away aged 92, is the most prolific British try scorer in the game's history and second only to Australian Brian Bevan, who played most of his career in England.

In total, Boston scored a remarkable 571 tries in 564 appearances during his illustrious 15-year career which started at Wigan in 1953.

Many of those were at international level, where he played for Wales, Great Britain and Other Nationalities.

He scored 24 caps in 31 Tests for Great Britain and helped them win the World Cup in 1960.

He also played in the 1957 World Cup and toured Australa and New Zealand in 1954 and 1962.

In doing so, Boston became the first non-white player selected to tour for Great Britain in 1954, during which he set a new record of 36 tries in 18 games.

Boston also became the first player to score four tries in a game for Great Britain against New Zealand on 24th July 1954.

He scored a further 53 tries in 28 representative matches for the Lions. His two Other Nationalities caps came in the 1955-56 European Championship, where he scored five tries in two games as he and seven other Welshmen were in the squad that they beat England and France to win that season’s title.

Those achievements in the game led to Boston finally being made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for services to rugby league last year – ending the code's "scandalous" 130-year wait for a knighthood.

At the time of the award then British prime minister, Keir Starmer, described it as a “historic wrong” that the sport had waited so long.

Born in Wales with family links to Ireland and Sierra Leone, Boston was not only one of rugby league’s greatest players but a pioneer in British sport history who overcame racism in rugby union before switching codes.

Wales Rugby League chairman, James Davies, said: “Sir Billy was quite simply a legend of rugby league and one of the greatest sportsmen Wales has ever produced. His achievements on the field speak for themselves, but for those fortunate enough to have met Billy, it was the man behind those achievements who left an equally lasting impression. Despite everything he accomplished, he remained one of the most humble, warm and gracious people you could ever meet.

“For us in Wales, Sir Billy’s legacy will always be particularly special. He was a proud Welshman, a trailblazer who broke down barriers and inspired generations. The path he helped create gave so many others the belief that they too could succeed at the very highest level of our sport.

“My own lasting memory of Billy will always be that wonderful, infectious smile. Seeing that smile when he received his knighthood was an incredibly special moment — one that seemed to light up the world. Equally moving was the tremendous standing ovation he received from the Wigan supporters, captured by Sky Sports. You only had to see Billy’s reaction that day to understand the genuine affection between him and the people of Wigan, and the enormous respect in which he was held throughout rugby league.

“His influence went far beyond tries, appearances, records and trophies. Sir Billy represented the very best of our sport: courage, humility, respect and a love for rugby league and its communities.

“Today, rugby league has lost one of its greatest-ever players, Wales has lost one of its finest sporting sons, and our sport has lost a truly special gentleman.”

Wigan Warriors Chief Executive Kris Radlinski said: “Billy Boston wasn’t just a legend of Wigan Rugby League; he was one of the greatest figures our sport has ever known. I was also fortunate to call him my friend.

“For generations of Wigan people, Billy represented the very best of our town and our Club - strength, humility, courage and an extraordinary talent worn without fuss or ego.

“His achievements speak for themselves and will stand forever. But Billy’s true measure went beyond what he achieved on a rugby field. It was in the respect he commanded, the way he carried himself and the affection in which he was held by everyone who knew him.

“Today we mourn one of our greatest ever Warriors and Rugby League’s first knight. 

“Time moves on, as it must, but some names endure. Billy Boston will always be one of them. His place in the history of Wigan, and in the history of Rugby League, is secure forever.

“I visited him on Sunday morning with Mandy, held his hand and told him we loved him “

“Rest in peace, Billy. My friend, our Warrior and a true Wigan legend.”

A granstand named in his honur at Wigan is among the numerous honours Boston received after his career, including induction into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 1988.

He is also commemorated with statues in both Wigan, his home city of Cardiff, and outside Wembley Stadium in London.

Sir Billy's death comes just weeks after the passing of his wife, Lady Joan Boston, with whom he had been married for 70 years.