• Published10 September 2026, 06:21 BST

Friends, family and players past and present have gathered to pay their respects at the funeral of rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston.

Boston, who was the first player in rugby league's 130-year history to receive a knighthood, died last month aged 92.

His funeral is taking at Wigan Warriors' Brick Community Stadium, with mourners including many of the club's players.

Before the service, a cortege travelled through Wigan, external on its route towards the stadium in the Greater Mancheser town. A private burial ceremony was set to follow.

Crowds gathered on Library Street to watch the funeral procession

Mourners have left floral tributes in Wigan's Believe Square, where a bronze statue of Boston stands

Fans left hand-written notes to Sir Billy

At the request of the Boston family, people attending are being encouraged to wear traditional funeral attire, but items of Wigan Warriors' cherry red can be worn such as scarves, ties and headwear.

People are welcome to pay their respects to the funeral cortege, which will follow a route through Wigan.

Bryan said Boston reamins the 'G.O.A.T' (greatest of all time)

Bryan Cocker, from Chorley, Lancashire, said he never saw him play, and that remained one of his "greatest regrets", even at the age of 77.

"I've seen snippets of him and I mean I've watched some greats at Wigan, I've seen some fantastic players but my only wish is that I could have seen Billy Boston play," he said.

Patrica Roby watched Boston play at Central Park, The Warriors homeground

An emotional Patrica Roby from Wigan, Aspull, recalled Boston running down the wing at Central Park, The Warriors homeground.

"He was really, really loved in Wigan," she said.

Born in Cardiff in 1934, Boston grew up playing union but was overlooked by his home club. He came to the attention of rugby league scouts while on national service in the north of England, signing for Wigan in 1953 as a 19-year-old.

He was picked for the 1954 Great Britain side and was the first black British player to tour Australia and New Zealand.

He reached the 100-try milestone in just 68 matches and claimed 478 tries in 488 games for Wigan, helping them win three Challenge Cups and the Championship.

In all, Boston scored 571 tries in his career - a total surpassed only by Australian legend Brian Bevan in top-class rugby league - and is one of the truly great British rugby league players.

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