Sir Billy Boston, a legendary figure in rugby league, has received a knighthood in a historic first for the sport, though his family expressed that the honour has come “a little bit late.” At 90, Boston was knighted by the King during a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace. His son, Stephen Boston, conveyed a mix of pride and disappointment post-ceremony: “It’s a really great honour. I think it has come a little bit late. It could have come a little bit earlier,” he remarked, highlighting the long wait for recognition in a sport that has shaped many communities.

Billy Boston's contributions to rugby league are monumental; he scored 478 tries in 488 matches for Wigan after switching from rugby union in 1953. His career not only showcased his exceptional athletic ability but also marked significant milestones in rugby history. Boston became the first non-white player to represent Great Britain on the rugby league Lions tour in 1954, where he made an impressive debut, netting 36 tries in 18 appearances across Australia and New Zealand, including a record four tries in a single match against New Zealand.

The campaign for Boston's knighthood gathered momentum over recent years, with prominent figures, such as Prime Minister Keir Starmer, advocating for the recognition he deserved. Starmer condemned what he termed a “historic wrong,” emphasising that Boston's achievements broke down barriers in a sport traditionally lacking diversity. “Billy Boston is a true trailblazer who has contributed hugely to rugby league,” Starmer stated, underscoring the enduring legacy left by Boston. He later expressed his congratulations to the rugby star in a personal letter.

Boston's long-awaited acknowledgement also reflects a broader movement within rugby league to honour its icons. Earlier this year, a statue was erected in Cardiff featuring Boston alongside fellow Welsh rugby legends Gus Risman and Clive Sullivan. This statue not only celebrates their athletic prowess but also acknowledges their roles as pioneers within the sport, aimed at inspiring future generations.

Despite his success on the field, Boston faced obstacles, including the unfortunate reality that he never earned a Welsh cap due to injuries sustained during international matches. His past accolades include an MBE awarded for his services to rugby league, and he has been inducted into the British Rugby League Hall of Fame as well as the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame.

This knighthood, while a significant milestone, highlights the systemic issue of recognition within rugby league and raises questions about how many other contributors to the sport may have similarly been overlooked. As public sentiment shifts towards acknowledging these historical injustices, Billy Boston's honour signifies not just the elevation of one extraordinary athlete, but also a potential awakening to the contributions of many underappreciated figures within rugby league.

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Source: Noah Wire Services