Wigan Warriors set to honour rugby league’s first knighthood with dedicated game

Wigan Warriors have announced that they will hold a celebration for rugby league’s first knighthood for Sir Billy Boston.

Their fixture against Huddersfield Giants on Friday 11th July is now to be in honour of Sir Billy, with a pre-match tribute to be held along with an evening of commemorative content.

Sir Billy was awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to rugby league and the community, and was given his honour early, due to his ill-health.

The match will also be the Warriors annual Armed Forces celebration night, with members of the Air and Sea Cadets, along with the Royal Marines, in attendance.

Wigan Warriors CEO leads celebrations for Sir Billy Boston

Wigan Warriors chief executive Kris Radlinski shared that it is important to the club to celebrate one of rugby league’s all-time greats, who is beloved across the sport, not just with the Wigan fans and community.

He said: “Billy Boston is not only a Wigan legend, but a national treasure. This knighthood is a long-overdue recognition of his remarkable contribution to sport and society.

“It will be a special night, and we invite all fans to join us in celebrating Sir Billy, while also recognising the courage and dedication of our Armed Forces.

“We promise to do Billy and the Armed Forces proud with a spectacular show that will long be remembered.”

With 478 tries in 487 matches for the Warriors, Boston has stats that most modern rugby league players could only dream of.

At 90 years old, Sir Billy is still frequently in attendance at Wigan Warriors games alongside his wife, Lady Joan, and is often highlighted during TV coverage, much to the delight of fans in the stadium too.

He’s been a trailblazer for black people within the rugby league family since the 1950s, making 31 Great Britain appearances and becoming the first non-white player to be selected for a Lions tour back in 1954.