Wigan paid an emotional tribute to Sir Billy Boston prior to their Betfred Super League match against Hull KR at the Brick Community Stadium on Thursday night.
Boston, who became rugby league’s first knight last year, died at the age of 92 on Tuesday morning, just four days after the funeral of his wife, Lady Joan.
Boston’s son Stephen carried a Wigan shirt bearing his name onto the halfway line, and placed it on the same throne Boston had sat on when the club celebrated his knighthood against Huddersfield last July.
Two seats were left vacant in the directors’ box in tribute to Boston and his wife, and the home team warmed up in black tee-shirts emblazoned with his number two as a host of former players and club staff watched on.
A minute’s silence was also well observed before the contest got under way.
Speaking prior to kick-off, Wigan head coach Matt Peet said: “I think the legend of Billy Boston that has rubbed off on us all is that he was an entertainer, he was a tough team-mate and he was humble, so it’s our job to carry that through on a daily basis.”
Boston is generally regarded as the greatest player in rugby league history. After switching codes to sign for Wigan in 1953, he went on to score 478 tries in 488 appearances for the club during the 1950s and 1960s.
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters, himself a former Wigan player, said: “On behalf of Hull KR I’d like to send my condolences to Billy’s family.
“I understand what Billy meant to Wigan. I was here 25 years ago and I had the honour of meeting Billy. He has touched a lot of people in this town and he will be dearly missed.”
