Arise Sir Billy Boston: Rugby league's first knighthood as Wigan legend honoured by the King
'He is a wonderful person who has always loved rugby league and all of the people involved in the sport'
The family of rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston have spoken of their pride after the 90 year-old was knighted by the King at Buckingham Palace today. It's rugby league's first ever knighthood - a fact the Prime Minister said had corrected an 'historic wrong' - and follows a long campaign in his hometown Wigan.
Cardiff-born Sir Billy blazed a trail for black sports stars during the 1950s and 1960s, making 488 appearances for Wigan and finishing his career with a British record 571 tries to his name.
He also became the first non-white player to represent Great Britain on a Lions tour in 1954, scoring 36 tries in 18 appearances in Australia and New Zealand, and featuring in a total of 31 international Test matches.
Images show Sir Billy, who was made an MBE in 1996, surrounded by his family at Buckingham Palace, as King Charles shakes his hand following a private ceremony.
His wife, Joan, said: "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, who scored 478 tries in 488 matches for Wigan after making the switch from rugby union in 1953, 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 should have been a lot, 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."
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, meanwhile, 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."
Labour councillors in the Wigan ward of Worsley Mesnes - Helen O'Neill, Paul Molyneux and David Hurst - set up a knighthood petition, which was signed by over 1,400 people. They were supported by the leader of the council, coun David Molyneux, and Wigan Warriors, including Kris Radlinksi, CEO and former player, and the chairman, Chris Brookes.
Sir Billy's MP, Josh Simons, also pushed for the honour and visited him together with coun Molyneux to break the news last month. Mr Simons said: "I'm so proud that Billy, my constituent, a hero of rugby league, will now be Sir Billy Boston. It's a special moment for his family, the town, and the sport. Presenting Billy with a letter about his knighthood was an emotional moment and I'm honoured to have supported Billy and his family at the Palace.
"Billy is a remarkable man. He was spurned by Cardiff and South Africa because of his race, but welcomed by Wigan and went on to be rugby league's greatest ever player. Finally, rugby league is getting the recognition it deserves, after years of being overlooked and belittled as a 'northern sport'.
"I'm so that Billy will forever be the first rugby league player to be knighted. Nobody could be more deserving."
In 1954, Sir Billy 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.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "Billy Boston’s knighthood is a historic milestone providing fitting recognition for the greatest player rugby league has ever seen. As MP for Wigan, this is a proud day for our town, for the Welsh nation, for rugby league fans across the country and, most importantly, for Billy and his family."
Boston made a try-scoring debut for Wigan against Barrow in November 1953, and by the time he left the club in 1968, he had played in six Challenge Cup finals at Wembley, featuring on the winning side in 1958, 1959 and 1965.
The full King’s Birthday Honours list is set to be announced later this week.