Honour 'a bit late' for legend Sir Billy

"TRAILBLAZING" rugby league star Sir Billy Boston's honour came “a little bit late", his son said, as his father became a knight in a first for the sport.

- By ELLIE CRABBE

Sir Billy, who scored 478 tries in 488 matches for Wigan after making the switch from rugby union in 1953, was knighted by the King in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

The 90-year-old, who was born in Wales, revealed in 2016 that he was living with vascular dementia.

Speaking after his father was knighted, Sir Billy’s son Stephen said: “It’s a really great honour. I think it has come a little bit late. It could have come a little bit earlier.”

Sir Billy's knighthood was awarded before the latest round of honours has been publicly announced, amid concerns for his health.