Billy Boston knighthood call: campaign launched for Wigan legend

[josie andrews]

MPs have heard calls for Wigan rugby league hero Billy Boston to be made a Sir “while that’s still possible” to end the “scandal” that no player from the sport has ever been knighted.

Boston, who was born in Wales, scored 478 tries in 487 matches for the Cherry and Whites after making the rugby switch from union to league in 1953.

The 90-year-old revealed in 2016 he had been living with vascular dementia.

A Hawkley Hall resident, he has been appointed an MBE, the third-highest ranking award within the Order of the British Empire, after CBE and OBE but before a knighthood or damehood.

At least four statues have been erected in his honour, including one in Wigan town centre, and he is also a recipient of a star on Believe Square.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has campaigned on the issue and previously said it is a “major injustice” that no rugby league player has ever been knighted.

During business questions, Labour MP for Makerfield Josh Simons said: “Mr Speaker, rugby league fans like yourself and others in this chamber will know and love my most famous constituent, Billy Boston.

"Before I came into this chamber, I was informed that Billy is not well, and local councillors in my constituency have started a petition to ensure that he receives a knighthood while that’s still possible.

“It is a scandal that for over a century, no rugby football league hero has received a knighthood, a scandal that we must recognise.

“So does the Leader agree with me that Billy Boston should be Sir Billy Boston, while that’s still possible?”

Commons Leader Lucy Powell replied: “I know Mr Speaker has very strong views about these issues as well, which I share as the former patron of rugby league.

“(Mr Simons) will appreciate I cannot comment on particular nomination applications, but what I can say to him is that I share his concern, which I know, Mr Speaker often takes the opportunity to share that with us now as well, that rugby league, which is a great northern sport, should get better recognition in our honours system.”

Sir Lindsay wished Boston well, adding: “Nobody has ever scored tries like Billy Boston.”

Worsley Mesnes councillors have also launched a petition campaigning for the knighthood

https://www.wigantoday.net/news/people/ ... nd-5021217

[Wintergreen]

100% deserves one.

Some of the people with Knighthoods- it's laughable at best and a disgrace at worst.

Boston and Sinfield should be a shoe in.

[ancientnloyal]

It’s shit these days that you can become a Dame for winning a running race once or twice. Then do nothing else in your career.

It’s the recognition of our sport that’s the issue. Kevin Sinfield, Billy Boston for example but what about Ray French people like that


In our luck we will get Sir Nigel Wood

[Ipinwigan]

It’s shit these days that you can become a Dame for winning a running race once or twice. Then do nothing else in your career.

It’s the recognition of our sport that’s the issue. Kevin Sinfield, Billy Boston for example but what about Ray French people like that


In our luck we will get Sir Nigel Wood

They would have to be careful with the sword not to pop him, it could by like Mr Creosote in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.

[the pieman]

It’s shit these days that you can become a Dame for winning a running race once or twice. Then do nothing else in your career.

It’s the recognition of our sport that’s the issue. Kevin Sinfield, Billy Boston for example but what about Ray French people like that


In our luck we will get Sir Nigel Wood

They would have to be careful with the sword not to pop him, it could by like Mr Creosote in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.

that would be funny though

[Beryl O'Neill]

Definitely king Billy and Kevin Field Ray French etc Should be no Hesitation whatsoever

[Charriots Offiah]

It’s shit these days that you can become a Dame for winning a running race once or twice. Then do nothing else in your career.

It’s the recognition of our sport that’s the issue. Kevin Sinfield, Billy Boston for example but what about Ray French people like that


In our luck we will get Sir Nigel Wood

In my view it is poor that anyone is knighted for simply doing their job.

[thegimble]

It’s shit these days that you can become a Dame for winning a running race once or twice. Then do nothing else in your career.

It’s the recognition of our sport that’s the issue. Kevin Sinfield, Billy Boston for example but what about Ray French people like that


In our luck we will get Sir Nigel Wood

In my view it is poor that anyone is knighted for simply doing their job.

I hate the honours system. But what makes it worse ppl get them for nothing.

Billy Boston will be remembered in a 100 years time whilst 99% of the knighthoods will be forgotten. Sinfield had a great career but is a better person on top of that. he will get a knighthood before Boston which is wrong and Sinfield deserves one.

That is the problem it's a popularity or bought system today. Tbh might have always been.

Better to be a true legend than a Sir

[Karl Carpenter]

It’s shit these days that you can become a Dame for winning a running race once or twice. Then do nothing else in your career.

It’s the recognition of our sport that’s the issue. Kevin Sinfield, Billy Boston for example but what about Ray French people like that


In our luck we will get Sir Nigel Wood

Please explain why Ray French should get a knighthood.

[archiekeith]

100% deserves one.

Some of the people with Knighthoods- it's laughable at best and a disgrace at worst.

Boston and Sinfield should be a shoe in.

Totally agree