Rugby league legend Billy Boston is set to receive a knighthood at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, ending the sport’s 130-year wait for such an honour.
The sport’s first knighthood is being awarded before the King’s birthday honours are officially announced later this week, because of concerns over Boston’s health.
The Cardiff-born player, 90, was one of the greatest stars of rugby league and a trailblazer for black sports stars when he played for Wigan and Great Britain in the 1950s and 1960s.
The move follows growing frustration over the lack of rugby league knighthoods or damehoods, with a group of cross-party MPs suggesting the lack of top honours was linked to snobbery.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated that the knighthood marks an “historic milestone.”
She expressed that this is the first knighthood for a rugby league player, which is a long-overdue acknowledgment of a game that has greatly impacted our national life.
“This is the moment we correct a historical injustice,” she remarked.
Billy Boston, the former Wigan player who lives with dementia, is expected to be joined at the Palace by his family and representatives from his old club.
Usually, investiture ceremonies happen months after the honors are announced. However, due to concerns about Boston’s health, his knighthood will be awarded before the latest honors are publicly revealed.
Wigan Warriors’ chairman Chris Brookes shared his excitement, saying, “I am absolutely delighted and so happy that Billy – and rugby league – has finally received the ultimate recognition his outstanding career deserves.”
Boston is considered one of the legends of the sport, having won three Challenge Cups and scored 24 tries in 31 games for Great Britain. He has also been recognized for paving the way for black players in rugby league.
Brookes noted that Boston scored 478 tries in 487 matches for Wigan but remained “the most modest of men” despite being “the most revered player of our wonderful sport.”
