I thought the same thing regarding Boston already having been honoured and there being plenty of other legends. Having spoken to my granddad about Boston he said he was obviously good but also a player who turned up when he wanted and wasn't the most professional as evidenced by his weight gain later in his career. This is second hand info which i may not have relayed entirely accurately but we did only win one league title while Boston was with us despite his try scoring exploits.

Obviously I've not seen these players but looking at the history Jim Sullivan seems deserving of more recognition than he's received given he has no stands or statues i'm aware of but instrumental in creating winning culture at the club.

Well, there's a first time for everything I suppose. But I didn't think I'd ever see the day, even on a Wigan RL message board, when a Wigan fan would badmouth Billy Boston.

Some people just want and desire to be controversial. Obvious troll is obvious.

I certainly wouldn't want anyone to think I was 'bad mouthing'the great man. He's a club legend who deserves to be revered.

I just think there might be others who are equally deserving. My personal choice would be Edwards. A Wigan lad who went on to become the games most decorated player. When you look at his defining characteristics of hard work, self sacrifice and sheer determination/will to succeed then, for me, he's deserving of a statue

On top of that I see his RU stuff as an added bonus as it speaks volumes about how good we are at Rugby in Wigan. The fact we can produce so many talented players & coaches who have/ are dominating both codes is something to me proud of.

Weight gain and only turning up when he wanted to? That's your Granddads memory of Billy Boston?

Don't want to appear disrespectful to your Granddad but if that's his abiding memory, then he must have had a hard life.

He's not a bitter blue Latics fan is he?

I do think that the reporting so far make it appear that the driver behind the the appeal is the sculptor himself, looking for a commission.

I don't know if this is the case, or who in fact first proposed the idea.

Either way, public donation is I reckon, the best way to go.

If public donation is the way to go then the public should really have been involved from the beginning.

According to Greg Farrimond the statue will be situated in the town centre next year.

I've got no problem rummaging through the mothballs in the wallet to help move this on, my issue is that (regardless of whether the club support it or not - imagine the uproar if they'd said "no"icon_wink.gif the whole enterprise seems a bit amateurish.
It's often the case that public money is used for this sort of thing. I'm not sure where the money for the Wembley statue is coming from for example, but I'm pretty sure it won't be (all) the RFL.

Is the Wembley statue the one where the public could vote on which player's were to be included?

From experience a lack of consultation is likely to divide opinion and support which is a real shame.

Yes, the group statue, which includes Billy, was chosen. It's due to be unveiled at this year's CC final.
Although if you look at some of the comments from some swivel-eyed loons that insist Wembley is [ionly[/i a wendy-ball stadium, I'll not be surprised if it's vandalised soon after.
Contrast the organisation & backing of the Wembley statue with the Wigan one & there really is no comparison.

I agree and think part of the problem is the lack of information provided.

I would like to think that Wigan based businesses have been asked to contribute, perhaps 'Houses For Homes' could throw in a few quid?

Just had a look at the guys website...think he needs to sort this page asap ! Look at the paedophile in the purple jacket! stephenjwinterburn.com/biography.htm

Just had a look at the guys website...think he needs to sort this page asap ! Look at the paedophile in the purple jacket! stephenjwinterburn.com/biography.htm

It's a great idea.
There are no bad words that should ever be used to describe this true Wigan legend.
Council should fund it, just cut the budget on the 'Believe in Wigan' campaign and the money could easily be found.
If not, then for something like this I would gladly pay a £10 surcharge (optional not mandatory) on my next years season ticket.

Some may consider it an honour to contribute towards building a statue for the great man. Maybe the council have already ringfenced a statue building budget for when DW pops it

I have been privileged to have seen the whole (less no more than a handful of matches) of Billy Boston's career at Wigan. That anyone who ever saw him play can have any doubt about his full commitment to the Wigan club is utterly astonishing in the extreme. He was the finest player I have ever seen and a statue of him in the Wigan town centre is something that ought to have been done long ago. Regarding Jim Sullivan, it is without question that he was a great servant to the club in a long and distinguished career. However he had a much greater influence in the rise of another club who he managed to bring from the doldrums to being a power in Rugby League. Hence his inclusion in the St Helens Hall of Fame. I hardly think that that would endear him enough to the Wigan public to warrant a statue in his honour.

I'm all for everyone having their own opinion no matter how rubbish but jesus this takes the biscuit.

The man did more for Wigan than any other player and as for your ridiculous dig at his professionalism i'll show it the contempt it deserves.

Quote ="WarriorWithin"I'm all for everyone having their own opinion no matter how rubbish but jesus this takes the biscuit. The man did more for Wigan than any other player and as for your ridiculous dig at his professionalism i'll show it the contempt it deserves.'" This is from 1964 so Boston would probably have been 30 years of age and in his 11th season at Wigan. Doesn't look overweight to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ot6aGiv2Mk

Quote ="WarriorWithin"I'm all for everyone having their own opinion no matter how rubbish but jesus this takes the biscuit. The man did more for Wigan than any other player and as for your ridiculous dig at his professionalism i'll show it the contempt it deserves.'" This is from 1964 so Boston would probably have been 30 years of age and in his 11th season at Wigan. Doesn't look overweight to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ot6aGiv2Mk

Thanks for posting that, brings back great memories. If I say anymore I'll go on and on, so I'll shut up now.

So, Major Tom, according to the comments in response to your post, it would appear that you have made a complete boob. Consider yourself demoted to Private,

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"This is from 1964 so Boston would probably have been 30 years of age and in his 11th season at Wigan. Doesn't look overweight to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ot6aGiv2Mk'" Cheers for that Rogues

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"This is from 1964 so Boston would probably have been 30 years of age and in his 11th season at Wigan. Doesn't look overweight to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ot6aGiv2Mk'" Cheers for that Rogues

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"This is from 1964 so Boston would probably have been 30 years of age and in his 11th season at Wigan. Doesn't look overweight to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ot6aGiv2Mk'" Doesn't look overweight to me either. Wonder if it was one of the games he didn't turn up for?

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"This is from 1964 so Boston would probably have been 30 years of age and in his 11th season at Wigan. Doesn't look overweight to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ot6aGiv2Mk'" Doesn't look overweight to me either. Wonder if it was one of the games he didn't turn up for?

That is being very subjective. My old Dad only focused on Jim Sullivans playing career for Wigan. A career that is peerless. I guess there are hardly any fans around today who witnessed Sullys playing days. And it is for that reason why Sully won't be getting a statue.

You cannot take away the records that Sully broke in his Wigan playing days.Because overall, that record will never be matched or beaten.

I do think 'Billy B' ought to get a statue, but like the guy who is getting slagged off, I also can remember Billy when he sometimes had a pint before a game. Before some people get carried away with that. In the past there were one or two players who didn't/couldn't play unless they had had a drink.The current playing culture was not always thus.

Another example was the brilliant wingman John Ferguson, who was photographed actually still on the pitch immediately after the final whistle at the 1985 Wembley Challenge Cup Final when smoking a cigarette !

We are lucky as a town to have had so many great players play for Wigan.

Perhaps more than one Wigan player could be included? (similar to what is happening down at Wembley).

It would be interesting to see what names would be suggested by the public.

When Billy played the cigarette at half time was common place by a lot of players.
Things were so different then than now.
Just as a small measure though, Josh scored his 100th try in his 93rd game.
Billy B scored his 100th try in his 63rd game AFAIK!

to be fair my dad worshipped him and said he did get bigge and lose some pace was was always a beast. Just run oiver the top of everyone, loved it. Hate the vid rogues makes me miss cp even more