Fans share memories of rugby league legend Billy Boston

Fans have shared memories of the much-loved rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston and signed a book of condolence at his former club Wigan Warriors.

Rugby league's first knight died earlier this week aged 92 surrounded by his closest family, the club said.

As well as his achievements on the pitch - including scoring 571 tries in his career - a total surpassed only by Australian legend Brian Bevan in top-class rugby league - Boston has a legion of fans heartbroken at the legend's death.

The club's kitman, and a lifelong fan who first saw him as a child, and decades later worked for him in his pub when he retired, were among hundreds who went to Robin Park Arena to pay tribute to the star.

Josie Andrews held back the tears as she told BBC North West Tonight: "I fell in love with Billy Boston when I was eight.

"My dad took me to watch him and that is when I fell in love with Wigan rugby."

She said she later worked for Boston when he ran the Griffin Hotel close to Wigan's Central Park Ground after he retired from the game.

Another fan paying his respects was David Mullen who said he met the great man twice and described him as an "absolute gent".

"At the ground we always saw Sir Billy and what an absolute guy he was."

He added: "I met him twice because I was a standard-bearer for the branch of the Royal British Legion and when they had the military here, I've been in the tunnel and met him then."

"You couldn't wish to meet a nicer guy."

The club's kitman, Roy Dickinson, said: "Billy was my first sporting hero, and he still is. Always will be."

He said he shared some good times with the legend in the Griffin Hotel and treasured a photograph taken in there with Boston.

"We used to go in Billy's pub... and the old players used to go in at that time."

He laughed as he recalled how Boston played darts in the pub.

"He used to get more nervous playing darts than he did playing at Wembley."

Geoff Hallewell said he often shared a table with Billy at club events and their wives were friends.

"He told us all about his childhood, where he was brought up in Angelina Street in Cardiff."

Hallewell said his wife and Lady Joan, who died a month before Boston, had known each other for a long time.

"They were always so welcoming, both of them. No airs about them at all.

"Billy was the greatest rugby player ever, but he didn't realise it, I don't think."

Michael Lyall said he travelled from Chorley, Lancashire, to sign the book of condolence.

"He was great, brilliant, just the job.

"I wish he'd played for Rhinos, though."

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