Finally knighted at the palace today, some 40 years too late. Discriminated against in Cardiff so moved to Wigan and rugby league. Prolific try scorer, unstoppable on his day, I saw a linesman break his leg avoiding Billy at Rochdale Hornets. A supreme gentleman arise Sir Billy.

About time. First time I saw him was in an early 60s Challenge Cup Final, on tv, that Wigan lost but he was the stand out for me. I think it was by Wakefield Trinity.
Congrats Sir Billy.

Saw him play at Central Park. I remember the pitch being above terracing and he was knocked off the pitch and onto the crowds heads close to us. Fans had sore heads but Billy just got up and carried on. Ahead of his time was Sir Billy

I used to work with a big rugby league fan who supported St Helens. He didn’t like Boston and his hero was Tom van Vollenhoven.

I’m sure the not liking Boston was similar to me not liking Bryan Douglas.

Yes nice analogy Tony, anyone would like Boston and Douglas on their side.

He must be some age.I remember the name years ago.

I remember seeing him at the Wilderspool Stadium back in the 60s. It was a long slog in those days without the 5 tackle rule and he was in the thick of it.

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 4:41 pm

He must be some age. I remember the name years ago.

He turned 90 in March, and is living with dementia. They do occasionally expedite investitures if the recipient is unwell, this picture is not of the investiture but famously they did so for this other sporting great ...

CleggHall wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 3:47 pm

Finally knighted at the palace today, some 40 years too late. Discriminated against in Cardiff so moved to Wigan and rugby league. Prolific try scorer, unstoppable on his day, I saw a linesman break his leg avoiding Billy at Rochdale Hornets. A supreme gentleman arise Sir Billy.

A truly great player.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 4:27 pm

I used to work with a big rugby league fan who supported St Helens. He didn’t like Boston and his hero was Tom van Vollenhoven.

I’m sure the not liking Boston was similar to me not liking Bryan Douglas.

Douglas was a great player.

Quicknick wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 7:57 pm

Douglas was a great player.

I’m sure he was

CleggHall wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 3:47 pm

Finally knighted at the palace today, some 40 years too late. Discriminated against in Cardiff so moved to Wigan and rugby league. Prolific try scorer, unstoppable on his day, I saw a linesman break his leg avoiding Billy at Rochdale Hornets. A supreme gentleman arise Sir Billy.

Spot on Cleggy..What a player he was and like you say Arise Sir Billy..

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 10, 2025 8:26 pm

I’m sure he was

He was when he lobbed Leyland at Ewood in the late 50's-but we still lost 3-2
Didnt Blacklaw knock out one of Bryan's teeth or is that apocryphal?

Had a fantastic day out in Wigan. Went to watch GB v NZ at Central Park. Went early, called into the Griffin Pub that Boston ran. Such a gent Billy. After the game lots of players called in, including Jason Robinson.

The first RL big star I recall from back in late 50s Eddie Waring days; wearing the cherry and white hoops in a strong team, very memorable.
From Tiger Bay and wanted a Union career in Wales but shunned to some extent and signed by Wigan for a v big fee whilst doing National Service up north (Catterick?).
Revered in Wigan and now the first RL player ever to be knighted ( been a few, but not that many, RU players with that honour).

I only ever took a passing interest in RL yet it's an abiding childhood memory hearing Eddie Waring call the name Billy Boston with emphasis on the N and the end of his name. Eddie himself has been gone for 40 years.

My father once played against him whilst undertaking his National Service at Catterick around 1949/51. His recollection is seeing this bull of a man charging down the wing towards him.
He tried his utmost to put a tackle in but the outcome was similar to Tony Underwood trying to take out Joshua Lomu. As my father looked behind him all he could see was Boston charging over the try line.
However,he did say he was a remarkably affable guy and they had a good laugh about it over a couple of pints after the match

Straying now but mention of Underwood reminds me that whilst at RAF Valley I turned out for the Station HQ in the CO's Cup 7-a-side against the WRAFs, who had Rory Underwood guesting for them. He was then earning his wings at 4FTS. Of course the WRAFs won the game with plenty to spare!

For those who didn't know or wondered, this is the great Andy Ripley, of England and the British Lions. Most non-Rugby followers would remember him from his performances in " Superstars ", in the early 1980's. His OBE investiture was brought forward in 2010, days before his premature death at 62 from Prostate Cancer, seeing him in such a reduced state brought more than a few Rugby " hard men " to tears ..