Wigan Pays Tribute to Rugby League Great Sir Billy Boston at Funeral

Rugby league figures, supporters, friends and relatives gathered in Wigan to honor Sir Billy Boston at the funeral of one of the sport’s most celebrated players. Boston, who became the first person in rugby league’s 130-year history to receive a knighthood, died in August at the age of 92.

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BBC News reported that the service was held at Wigan Warriors’ Brick Community Stadium, with members of the club’s current squad among those attending. A funeral cortege traveled through the Greater Manchester town before reaching the stadium, allowing supporters along the route to pay their respects. A private burial ceremony was due to take place afterward.

The Boston family asked mourners to wear traditional funeral clothing, while also allowing Wigan’s cherry-red-and-white colors to be represented through scarves, ties and headwear. Floral tributes and handwritten messages were left in Believe Square, where a bronze statue of Boston stands near Wigan Town Hall.

During the service, Wigan chief executive Kris Radlinski reflected on Boston’s journey from his childhood in Cardiff through to his knighthood. Radlinski also announced that Wigan Council had informed him that Believe Square will be renamed Sir Billy Boston Square, creating a permanent public commemoration of the former winger in the town where he built his career.

Boston was born in Cardiff in 1934 and initially played rugby union. After being overlooked by his local club, he attracted the attention of rugby league scouts while completing national service in northern England. Wigan signed him in 1953 when he was 19, and he was selected for Great Britain the following year. On that tour, he became the first Black British player to represent Great Britain in Australia and New Zealand.

His scoring record placed him among rugby league’s outstanding finishers. Boston reached 100 tries in 68 appearances and finished with 478 tries in 488 games for Wigan. He helped the club win three Challenge Cups and the Championship. Across his full career he scored 571 tries, a top-level total exceeded only by Australian great Brian Bevan. The funeral brought those achievements together with the affection shown by the Wigan community that adopted him.