Revered throughout the rugby world... but has Billy Boston been forgotten in home City?
AWELSH rugby charity has hit out after a dinner to honour arguably the greatest player never to represent his county at union received a lukewarm response from the public.
The Welsh Charitables RFC, who have former Lions flanker Terry Cobner as chairman and JPR Williams as patron, have organised a dinner at Cardiff ’s Mercure Holland House Hotel on Friday, October 27, for rugby league legend Billy Boston as he battles the onset of dementia.
Boston is a revered figure in rugby league having moved to Wigan in 1953 after having a short spell in union with Pontypridd and Neath.
He played 488 times for Wigan from 1953-68 and made a staggering 31 appearances for Great Britain, becoming the first man ever to score four tries in one game against New Zealand.
But the dinner for the sporting icon in his home city has so far met with apathy among the Welsh public and business community, with just a couple of tables to date being sold.
The Welsh Charitables, who also have rugby Gareth Edwards, David Watkins, Shane Williams, Gerald Davies, John Dawes, Phil Bennett, Delme Thomas, John Taylor, Dai Morris and the Pontypool Front Row among its presidents and vice presidents, are mystified with the lack of response in Boston’s home city.
“I have been very fortunate since forming the Charitables in 2000 to have rubbed shoulders with some of the greats of the game,” said secretary David Power.
“Some we have honoured with dinners and all the recipients have been very humbled with having such an honour bestowed on them.
“This year’s recipient has a rather more poignant touch as it’s to a man who has been described by many as ‘The Greatest Player Never to have Played for Wales’ or to never have played on the hallowed turf of Cardiff Arms Park.
“Tiger Bay’s Billy Boston has been revered throughout the rugby world as one of the greatest players ever.
“He’s sadly suffering with the early onset of dementia.
“What I find strange is where such a legend of the game, who has statues erected in his honour at Wembley and Wigan, is more recognised and revered there, than he is down here in Wales.
“It seems that we have forgotten him.
“We are going to put the record books straight by holding this tribute dinner.
“At 82-years of age Billy is the oldest player we have honoured with a tribute dinner. Jim Mills, Ray French and Clive Rowlands are just three of the legends who will sharing their memories of him.
“He scored 571 tries during his career and has been inducted into the British Rugby League Hall of Fame and the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame.
“This is going to be a treat to hear top players tell Billy their memories of him being one of Great Britain’s greatest ever players.”
Charitables chairman Cobner added: “Billy was one of my father’s heroes, this is a great and fitting tribute in his home city of Cardiff to such a giant of rugby league, who undoubtedly would have earned many caps for Wales and the Lions if he hadn’t of gone north.”
Rugby fans and companies wishing to get involved can book their tickets to be at this special event. It’s £55 a head and this includes a fivecourse meal and coffee.
Call David Power, secretary of the Welsh Charitables RFC, on 07973 705062 or email david.power@ welshcharitablesrfc.com.
All of the money raised will go to the Welsh Charitables RFC Benevolent Fund.
Over the years the Welsh Charitables have supported charities including Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, The Princes Trust Cymru St David’s Hospice Care, Ty Hafan the family Hospice for young lives, and British Heart Foundation Cymru.