BS: Sir Billy Boston (Rugby)

Subject: BS: Sir Billy Boston
From: Paul Burke
Date: 10 Jun 25 - 06:19 AM

And about time too. The Wigan winger, all time great, and Rugby League's first knight.

My most vivid memory of him is from back in 1965 or so. Swinton v Wigan at Station Road. An elderly lady with a blue and white umbrella, a Swinton supporter, was heaping all sorts of imprecations on him, "You f*** black n****" was one of the milder ones. Boston showed no reaction until a lull in the game found him by the touch line not far from this charmer. In those days of standing terraces, there was only a narrow (cinder!) track and a low wall between the pitch and the spectators. And the good lady kept up her harridan tirade at full volume... until Billy slowly walked over, and spoke quite calmly: "Sorry, madam, I couldn't quite hear what you were saying." Silenced for the remainder of the match. I seem to recall that Wigan won by a margin, but you'd have to look up the records for that.

A knight worthy of the title.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Billy Boston
From: Raggytash
Date: 10 Jun 25 - 08:08 AM

A year or two after that I was in the Station Road end for a match agaginst Wigan. Their "supporters" were skimming penny coins at the Swinton fans. I was just 12 years old.

Pity they didn't learn from Billy, who as you rightly say was a giant of the game.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Billy Boston
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 11 Jun 25 - 08:23 PM

Wasn't he with St helens for a while?

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Billy Boston (Rugby)
From: Paul Burke
Date: 12 Jun 25 - 04:44 AM

No, his League career was with Wigan (signed straight from Union), then a short twilight with Blackpool Borough. I wonder how his try- scoring record, in the days of 3 points for a try, would compare with players of the four point era?