Rugby league lost one of its true giants this summer. Sir Billy Boston, the Cardiff-born winger who became Wigan's greatest try-scorer, died in hospital on 24 August 2026, aged 92. The Welsh Rugby Union called him one of the best-loved and most iconic figures in Welsh sporting history.
Only a year earlier he had become the first rugby league player ever to be knighted. Here is our tribute to the man behind 571 career tries, and you can shop every design in our Billy Boston collection.
Billy Boston Fact File
| Full name | William John Boston |
| Date of birth | 6 August 1934 |
| Place of birth | Butetown, Cardiff, Wales |
| Died | 24 August 2026, Wigan (aged 92) |
| Position | Wing / centre |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Status | Retired (played 1953–1970) |
| Clubs | Wigan, Blackpool Borough |
Career History
| Years | Team | Apps | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953–1968 | Wigan | 487 | 478 |
| 1969–1970 | Blackpool Borough | 11 | 5 |
| 1954–1963 | Great Britain | 31 Tests | 24 |
| Career | All matches (club, tour and representative) | — | 571 |
Club figures are for Wigan and Blackpool Borough; sources differ by one on his Wigan appearance total (487–488). The 571 career tries is the second-highest total in rugby league history.
Tiger Bay Beginnings
Billy Boston grew up on Angelina Street in Butetown, the dockside community of Cardiff, and first made his name in rugby union with Cardiff Internationals Athletic Club (CIACS), part of their unbeaten 1951–52 side.
While doing National Service with the Royal Signals at Catterick, his pace and power caught the eye of rugby league scouts. Wigan made their move in March 1953, and Boston headed north, making his debut against Barrow in November 1953.
Celebrate the cherry-and-white years with our Billy Boston Wigan Rugby League Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
A Record-Breaking Lion
Boston's rise was astonishing. Within months of his debut he was selected for the 1954 Great Britain tour of Australia and New Zealand, where he scored a record 36 tries in just 18 games.
He went on to win 31 Test caps, scoring 24 tries, and was part of the Great Britain squad that won the 1960 World Cup.
Honour his Lions heroics with our Billy Boston Great Britain Rugby League Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
Wigan's Greatest Try-Scorer
Over 15 seasons at Central Park, Boston scored 478 tries for Wigan, a club record that still stands. He lifted the Challenge Cup three times, in 1958, 1959 and 1965, and won the First Division championship in 1959–60.
He finished his playing days with Blackpool Borough in 1969–70, taking his career tally to 571 tries, the second-highest total in the sport's history.
Wrap up in a legend with our Billy Boston Men's Hoodie.
Statues, Honours and a Knighthood
He entered the RFL Hall of Fame in 1988 and was made an MBE in 1996.
He is honoured with three statues: in Wigan, at Wembley as part of the rugby league statue, and in Cardiff Bay. In the 2025 King's Birthday Honours he was knighted for services to rugby league, a first for the sport in its 130-year history.
Honours
Wigan
- Challenge Cup: 1957–58, 1958–59, 1964–65
- First Division Championship: 1959–60
- Lancashire League: 1958–59, 1961–62
- Lancashire Cup: 1966–67
Great Britain
- Rugby League World Cup: 1960
- Record 36 tries on the 1954 Lions tour
Individual
- RFL Hall of Fame (1988)
- Welsh Sports Hall of Fame (1990)
- Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame (1998)
- MBE (1996)
- Knighted (2025), the first rugby league player to receive the honour
Away From the Game
After hanging up his boots, Billy ran the Griffin Hotel near Central Park and remained a much-loved presence in Wigan for the rest of his life. He received the freedom of Wigan in 2000, and his kindness and modesty ran through every tribute after his death.
FAQs
How old was Billy Boston when he died?
Sir Billy Boston died on 24 August 2026, aged 92. He was born on 6 August 1934.
Where was Billy Boston born?
He was born on Angelina Street in Butetown, the docklands district of Cardiff, Wales.
How many tries did Billy Boston score?
Boston scored 571 tries in his career, the second-highest total in rugby league history, including a club-record 478 for Wigan.
What teams did Billy Boston play for?
In union he starred for Cardiff Internationals Athletic Club; in league he played for Wigan (1953–1968), Blackpool Borough (1969–1970) and Great Britain.
Was Billy Boston knighted?
Yes. He was knighted in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours for services to rugby league, becoming the first rugby league player ever to be knighted.
What record did Billy Boston set on the 1954 Lions tour?
On the 1954 Great Britain tour of Australia and New Zealand he scored a record 36 tries in 18 games, just months after his Wigan debut.
Shop the Billy Boston Collection
Pay tribute to Sir Billy with our made-to-order hoodies and T-shirts, printed in the UK.
Shop every design in our Billy Boston collection. Browse the full rugby league collection for more icons of the 13-a-side game, or our Wigan Warriors collection. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Ellery Hanley Career Story and Kevin Sinfield Career Story.
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