Rugby league trailblazer Billy Boston has officially been knighted today at Buckingham Palace as part of the King’s birthday honours.
The 90-year-old icon, who grew up in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, is widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby league players of all time — and now, he finally gets the recognition many feel has been long overdue.
Often referred to as a “codebreaker”, Boston was one of several Black Welsh players who made the switch from rugby union to league in the mid-20th century, chasing opportunity and respect in a sport that welcomed them.
Boston has previously opened up about the heartbreak of never pulling on the red jersey of his country.
“I used to catch the bus from Cardiff’s ground to play for Neath,” he said two years ago. “Cardiff didn’t want to know. And I wanted to play for Wales with all my heart. But it wasn’t to be.”
His legacy, however, lives on. A statue of the former winger stands proudly in Landsea Square, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay — a tribute to his impact on the sport and the community.
David Baines, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group and MP for St Helens, said the honour was richly deserved.
“Billy Boston is an absolutely perfect first knight for rugby league given everything he has achieved, overcoming racial and class prejudice as well as his achievements on and off the field of play.
“But this has to be the first rugby league knight not the last, and Kevin Sinfield must be the next in line. He would have been knighted years ago had he grown up playing rugby union.
“I raised it in Parliament earlier this year pointing out that in 120 years of rugby league it has not had a single knight or dame. It is beyond reasonable doubt that a certain level of class prejudice did exist because the players come from working-class backgrounds, didn’t go to the right schools, and didn’t mix in the right social circles.”
A knighthood, a legacy, and a moment the rugby league world will never forget — Sir Billy Boston, take a bow.
Full list of rugby figures to have been knighted
Rugby stars are sometimes recognised by the British crown for their services to the game - RUCK brings you all you need to know
Some of rugby's biggest names have been recognised by the British monarchy for their services to the game.
Sir Clive Woodward and now Sir Bill Beaumont spring to mind when considering rugby icons who have been knighted, but there are plenty more.
There are also other honours bestowed upon individuals, such as CBEs, OBEs and MBEs, and many rugby players have also been recognised with those, though they are of a lower rank than those of the aforementioned individuals.
What are knighthoods?
Knighthoods are honours awarded to individuals by the sovereign of the United Kingdom in recognition of achievements in or services to a particular field.
Individuals are deemed to be 'knighted' when they are awarded a medal or badge which signifies that they have been given the title.
The Knight Grand Cross/Dame Grand Cross (GBE) is the highest honour of the chivalric order, followed by Knight Commander/Dame Commander (KBE/DBE). Those who have received these honours are free to take the title Sir or Dame.
Below GBE and KBE, in order, are Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) and Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Honorary knighthoods are awarded to citizens of countries where the British sovereign - in this case, the Queen - is not the head of state.
Rugby figures who have been knighted
1920: Henry Braddon - He was an Australian diplomat, businessman and rugby union player who played for Otago, New South Wales and New Zealand.
1927: George Rowland Hill - Hill gave 49 years service to the RFU, and in 1927 became the first person to be knighted for services to the sport of rugby union.
1944: Wavell Wakefield, 1st Baron Wakefield of Kendal - He was an English rugby union player for Harlequins, Leicester Tigers and England, President of the Rugby Football Union and Conservative politician.
1968: Carl Aarvold - He was an English barrister who became Recorder of London. Among other cases, he presided at the 1965 trial of the Kray twins. In his earlier days, he was also an nternational player for England and the British Lions.
1969: Weary Dunlop - He was an Australian surgeon who was renowned for his leadership while being held prisoner by the Japanese during World War II. Prior to the war he had represented the Wallabies.
1992: Peter Yarranton
1998: Wilson Whineray - The All Black was knighted in 1998 "for services to sport and business management".
1999: Brian Lochore - He was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport and the community.
2001: Tony O'Reilly - The Irish legend was knighted, as a Knight Bachelor, by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2001 New Year's Honours, "for services to Northern Ireland" – including in recognition for his work as head of The Ireland Funds charity.
2004: Clive Woodward - The ex-England head coach was knighted in the 2004 New Year's honours following England's World Cup triumph in 2003
2009: Colin Meads - Following the restoration of titular honours by the New Zealand government, Meads accepted redesignation as a Knight Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit
2010: Fred Allen - He was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, also for services to rugby.
2010: Ian McGeechan - The Scot was knighted in the 2010 New Years Honours List for his services to rugby.
2011: John Graham - The 22 time capped All Black was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education and sports.
2012: Graham Henry - The former All Blacks head coach was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2012 New Year Honours, for services to rugby.
2012: John Kirwan - The All Blacks legend was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to mental health and rugby.
2013: Gordon Tietjens - In the New Year Honours 1999, Tietjens was appointed a Member of The New Zealand Order of Merit, in the New Year Honours 2007, he was elevated to Companion of the same order, and in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours, Tietjens was further promoted to a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
2015: Gareth Edwards - The Wales and British Lions legend was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2015, for services to sport and for charitable services.
2017: Michael Jones - He was awarded a knighthood for being a driver of economic and social development for Pacific people in New Zealand, and in the Pacific region.
2018: Bill Beaumont - He was knighted in the Queen's New Year Honours list in 2018.
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