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Billy Boston - yes

Posted by Nick-H User icon on August 25, 2026, 10:35 am

RIP to a great sportsman and trailblazer

Re: Billy Boston - yes

Posted by dowi User icon on August 25, 2026, 2:46 pm, in reply to "Billy Boston - yes"

Visited his boozer near the old ground numerous times when Widnes played there. He'd walk around the place having the craic with everyone. Lovely fella. RIP

'Brevior saltare cum deformibus mulieribus est vita'

Re: Billy Boston - yes

Posted by sad ken User icon on August 25, 2026, 11:24 am, in reply to "Billy Boston - yes"

utterly shameful that it took until last year for him to be knighted when he had dementia and health was clearly in sharp decline.

Only received an MBE in his 60's

Whatever you think of the honours system, there is a certain generation that are utterly thrilled to receive them whatever their background.

Probably could have played any sport at a high level.

RIP

Re: Billy Boston - yes

Posted by Lance Drysdale User icon on August 25, 2026, 11:46 am, in reply to "Re: Billy Boston - yes"

There’s plenty of shameful stuff that happened to him - and to others in disturbingly similar circumstances. Another stain on Welsh rugby.

There’s a great documentary (which I think might be called Code Breakers) which goes into a lot of that in detail.

Took a hideously long time for Wales to acknowledge the impact these fellas had in any meaningful way. There is at least now a statue of Boston, Sullivan and Risman in Cardiff Bay, which goes some small way to addressing past crimes.

Re: Billy Boston - yes

Posted by Moodyblue User icon on August 25, 2026, 10:43 am, in reply to "Billy Boston - yes"

Never saw him play but what an absolute humble gent whenever he spoke in public.

RIP

UTFT
KAGS

Re: Billy Boston - yes

Posted by Babyface_Omipalone User icon on August 25, 2026, 10:41 am, in reply to "Billy Boston - yes"

As an old colleague of mine from Wigan used to say,
"Y' tek yer 'at off when y' say that name in Wigan"

I only ever saw clips of him on the telly, but he was brilliant.

Wrestle poodles..... and WIN!!!

Re: Billy Boston - yes

Posted by Banjo12 User icon on August 25, 2026, 10:40 am, in reply to "Billy Boston - yes"

Ahh real shame that...seen him at quite afew sportsmans evenings down the years and seemed a really nice man ,,

as you say a trailblazer for black rugby players

Lovely Stuff

Re: Billy Boston - yes

Posted by Nick-H User icon on August 25, 2026, 11:45 am, in reply to "Re: Billy Boston - yes"

Came across really well especially for someone who was hard as nails and faced a lot of challenges.

I’m not a big RL fan but he transcended the sport.

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