Rugby league is mourning the loss of one of its greatest and most groundbreaking figures. Sir Billy Boston, the Welsh-born winger who became the first rugby league player ever knighted, has died at the age of 92.
Born in Cardiff's Tiger Bay in 1934, Boston started out playing rugby union before his home team didn't want to sign him.
This led him to switch codes to sign with Wigan in 1953 at just 19 years old.
It proved to be one of the most consequential transfers in the sport's history.
Over a career at Wigan spanning the 1950s and 1960s, he scored 478 tries in 488 appearances for the club, finishing his career with the all-time British record of 571 tries overall and helped them win three Challenge Cups and the Championship.
He also played for Blackpool from 1969 to 1970 before he retired.
One year into his Wigan career, Boston was selected to play for Great Britain, becoming the first non-white player to tour with the side facing Australia and New Zealand.
Boston scored 36 tries in 18 appearances on the 1954 Lions tour and is remembered as a trailblazer for non-white sports stars in an era when such opportunities were rare.
In June 2025, Boston made history again when he became the first rugby league player to receive a knighthood, ending what was described as the sport's 130-year wait for such recognition.
He received the honour from King Charles III, a moment celebrated across the rugby league world as long overdue for a man widely regarded as one of the game's greatest-ever players.
Boston's achievements had already been recognised in numerous ways, being inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame as one of the original members in 1988.
He was also inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame at its launch in 1990, among others.
Statues of Boston stand at Wembley Stadium, in his home city of Cardiff, and at the Believe Square located in Wigan.
Boston had been living with vascular dementia following a diagnosis in 2016.
His death on August 24 came just four days after the funeral of his wife, Lady Joan, who he had been married to for 70 years.
The 92-year-old died overnight in hospital in Wigan, the town that had been his home for over seven decades since he arrived to play there.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham led the tributes, calling Boston a "giant of a man in every way".
"Heartbroken to hear my friend Sir Billy Boston has died," he said on social media.
"Billy was one of the greatest rugby league players of all time but also one of the kindest and most down-to-earth people you could ever wish to meet.
"He always had time for people and gave so much to back to his adopted home, Wigan.
"I will miss him greatly and am thinking today of Billy's family, still grieving the recent loss of his beloved wife Joan."
Wigan Warriors owner Mike Danson praised Boston's achievements and the inspiration he was.
"Billy Boston was everybody's hero, including my mum's.
"His achievements in rugby league were extraordinary, and his knighthood was a fitting recognition of a career that brought great credit to Wigan and to the game.
"But Billy's legacy was not simply what he achieved. It was the humility with which he carried it. Despite everything he accomplished, he remained a quiet, dignified and deeply respected man.
"He leaves behind an example that will endure for generations. Our thoughts are with his family and those closest to him.
"A great man, and a true Wigan legend. He will be remembered with pride and affection."
Wales Rugby League publicised a statement about the passing of Sir Billy Boston, saying, "Today, rugby league has lost one of its greatest-ever players, Wales has lost one of its finest sporting sons, and our sport has lost a truly special gentleman."
