He scored 478 tries for Wigan RLFC during his 15 years at Central Park – still a club record.
Now residents have voted the 75-year-old as the best player they’ve ever seen grace the borough’s rugby pitches for a home team.
More than 500 people voted in The History Shop competition designed to end the ultimate sporting conundrum of just who was the borough’s greatest rugby player. Leigh’s John Woods came a close second followed by Central Park favourite Shaun Edwards.
But it was Billy Boston, who plied his trade in the 50s and 60s, who triumphed and will now appear in a new exhibition planned for the History Shop next year.
Billy said: “It’s unbelievable when you consider all the great players at Wigan over the years. I’m grateful to all those who voted for me.”
When the History Shop’s £1.6m refurbishment is completed next year it will tell the story of Wigan from the Romans to present day. A profile on Billy Boston will appear as part of a section of the exhibition called “Our Champions”.
It will celebrate the achievements of local people from entertainers and sports people, to leaders and those who have committed acts of bravery.
The competition to find out who was the greatest rugby player the borough has ever seen was organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust in association with Wigan Warriors, Leigh Centurions and Asda.
Cabinet culture champion Cllr Brian Baldwin, said: “Billy Boston brought world wide recognition for Wigan when he played. But the message coming through loud and clear from the comments we received is that he’s also a perfect gentleman, a great ambassador for the town and a worthy winner.”
Restoration work at The History Shop in Wigan town centre has been made possible following a £500,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and match funding from Wigan Council and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, who manage heritage services on behalf of the council.
