Billy Boston
RUGBY PLAYER Billy Boston was born on August 6, 1934, in Cardiff, Wales. He is a legendary figure in rugby league, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.
Born to a Sierra Leonean father and a Welsh mother, Boston grew up in the Tiger Bay area of Cardiff, a culturally diverse and vibrant community.
Initially a rugby union player, he was a standout talent from a young age and played for the Cardiff Internationals Athletic Club and Neath RFC.
Despite his evident talent, he was never selected for the Welsh national rugby union team, a decision that many believe was influenced by racial and regional biases at the time.
In 1953, Boston made the pivotal switch to rugby league, signing with Wigan for a then-record fee. He went on to enjoy a spectacular 15-year career with the club, scoring 478 tries in 488 appearances – a club record that still stands.
His explosive pace, power, and instinct for the try-line made him a crowd favorite and a nightmare for defenders. Boston was known for his humble demeanor off the field and his ferocity on it, with a playing style that combined raw athleticism with refined skill. He was instrumental in Wigan’s domestic and international successes, including multiple Challenge Cup victories.
Boston also represented Great Britain and Wales in international rugby league, earning 31 caps for Great Britain and playing in three World Cups. He was a key figure in Great Britain’s 1960 World Cup-winning team and scored 24 tries in 31 test appearances.
His achievements were all the more significant given the challenges he faced as a black player in a predominantly white sport and era. His success paved the way for future generations of players from diverse backgrounds.
After retiring in 1970, Boston remained deeply involved in rugby league and became an ambassador for the sport. He was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 1988 and was made an MBE in 1986 for services to the game.
In 2021, he was honored with a statue at Wembley Stadium, alongside other Black rugby league pioneers, recognizing his contributions to the sport and to British sporting history.
A bronze statue featuring Billy Boston alongside Clive Sullivan and Gus Risman now stands in Landsea Square, Cardiff Bay. It was unveiled in July 2023 as part of the One Team. One Race: Honouring the Cardiff Bay Rugby Codebreakers project, established in 2020 to celebrate the trio as pioneering figures from Butetown who transitioned from rugby union to league
This monument holds significant historical and cultural importance as it’s the first statue in Wales to depict named, non-fictionalised black men. The statue was created by sculptor Steve Winterburn, who also crafted statues of these players in Wigan and at Wembley.
Boston, aged 88 at the unveiling, described it as one of the “highlights of my life,” expressing pride to be immortalised alongside his peers.
The statue shows all three players poised in mid-stride, arms linked in solidarity, overlooking the Bay. Their bronze figures are mounted on a circular plinth inscribed with the names of all 13 ‘codebreakers’.
This tribute stands as both a recognition of their on-field achievements and their roles in challenging racial and social barriers in Welsh sport.
On June 9, 2025, Boston became the first ever rugby league player to receive a knighthood, as part of the King’s Birthday Honours.
Billy Boston’s legacy endures not only in his staggering statistics, but also in the trail he blazed for others to follow.