CHILL-OUT SUNDAY THE ELLIS RUGBY – WIGAN WARRIORS RUGBY LEAGUE – BILLY BOSTON –  BOOK PREVIEW

Wigan Warriors Rugby League. Billy Boston the Legend.

Author – Robert Gate

Very few people understand the significance of rugby league’s history. And its relevance to the game’s communities more than Robert Gate. Who has made the study of the sport of rugby league a virtual art form. It is, therefore, appropriate that he should be the journalist for the Billy Boston biography.

Wigan Warriors Rugby League Billy Boston’s early life

Billy Boston, MBE was born on 6 August 1934. At Angelina Street, Butetown, Cardiff. Boston was the sixth of eleven children born to John Boston a merchant seaman from Sierra Leone. And Nellie who came from Cardiff’s Irish community.

Boston began his rugby union career with the newly formed Cardiff International Athletic Club. The club represented Grangetown. Cardiff Bay. Butetown and the Docks areas of the city. The team’s makeup reflected the multinational nature of those communities. Boston also represented the Cardiff Schoolboys team in the late 1940s. Also, he went on to represent Wales in both the boy’s clubs’ internationals. And at the Youth level.

His ambition to play Rugby for Wales was blocked

The young Boston was an integral part of the CIACs “invincible” season of 1951–52. The team won all of their 32 games. Although he played represented Neath RFC in 1950 and Pontypridd RFC in 1952. He wanted to play for Cardiff RFC. To enhance his ambition to play Rugby Union for Wales. But, despite being in outstanding form, he never received an offer. Cardiff turned their back on other black and mixed-race players. Particularly CIACs and players from the docks area. People like Johnny Freeman and Colin Dixon. They both went on to have successful rugby league careers. Also, it has been suggested that the club had an issue with racism.

Billy Boston signs for Wigan Warriors Rugby League in 1953

So, in 1953. Billy Boston signed for Wigan. He spent the next 15 years at Wigan, where he scored a club-record 478 tries in his 488 appearances for the club. He also represented Great Britain in 31 Test matches and was part of the team that won the 1960 Rugby League World Cup. And was an Ashes winner in 1962. Regarded as one of the sport’s greatest ever players.

He is an original inductee of the British Rugby League Hall of Fame. In addition, the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame. Also in the Wigan Warriors Rugby League Hall of Fame. In 1986 he was appointed MBE.

Here’s the Book Preview – Wigan Warriors Rugby League. Billy Boston.

This authorised biography of Billy Boston. One of the greatest post-war rugby league players. Record British try scorer and star winger for Wigan Warriors Rugby League club. And Great Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. His 15-year career at Central Park included six Challenge Cup Finals. He won 31 Great Britain caps and scored 24 tries. Including two Lions tours. Written by Robert Gate, the leading rugby league historian, based on extensive interviews and research.

Where to buy Wigan Warriors Rugby League: Billy Boston

This excellent book Witten by Robert Gate is available from AMAZON. Also, we offer our Rugby League Hall of Fame collection. Inspired by Billy Boston. These include Wigan Rugby League Shirt 1965 Billy Boston. A Vintage Wigan Rugby League Polo Shirt. Also, Great Britain 1962 Rugby League Shirt. And 1962 Rugby League Ashes Great Britain Polo Shirt.