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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day Archive

Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 31st January, 2020)

Billy Boston Statue


Billy Boston Statue
Believe Square, Wigan.

Photo: Brian  (iPhone)
Views: 2,374

Comment by: Thomas(Tom)Walsh on 31st January 2020 at 00:36

As children in 'The Hen Pen' the cry would go up ' Give it to Billy ' . A legend and a gentleman.

Comment by: Derek Platt on 31st January 2020 at 03:42

I don't know how anybody can see Billy Boston in this sculpture. It's more like Harry Bellafonte, And he never played rugby to my knowledge

Comment by: Mick on 31st January 2020 at 06:42

King Bill King Bill King Bill BOSTON

Comment by: lloyd on 31st January 2020 at 09:16

nothing like him

Comment by: irene roberts on 31st January 2020 at 09:17

The statue of a rugby player has been very well done but the face is not Billy Boston, even as a young man. However. it's good that the great man has been given a memorial. A brilliant player and a true Gentleman.

Comment by: jack on 31st January 2020 at 09:39

I agree with you Derek.

Comment by: PeterP on 31st January 2020 at 10:32

Totaly agree with Derek. I think if Billy looked at this statue inside he would be saying thats not me.

Comment by: Jonno on 31st January 2020 at 10:34

To ALL of those who doubt the likeness, on the day it was unveiled Billy's wife Joan, said.........
''That's the man I married''
I would think she knows best !!

Comment by: Mick on 31st January 2020 at 11:00

When they unveiled the statue Billy's wife, Joan said it was exactly like him when he was a young man.

Comment by: Anne on 31st January 2020 at 11:22

I've never thought vey much of this sculpture, not a great likeness at all. I find there are not many sculptures do justice to the subject. Even the one of Churchill looking across to the Houses of Parliament isn't a good resemblance.

Comment by: Carl on 31st January 2020 at 11:26

Looks more like Wayne Rooney than Billy B.
Same with that statue of Formby. Looks more like Rob Brydon.

Comment by: David Barker on 31st January 2020 at 11:46

Is there a reason the plinth was never painted, it would look better with a coat of paint ,all that rusty water runs all over the payment.
Another good photo Brian.

Comment by: Veronica on 31st January 2020 at 12:44

It's a very powerful image - I think his cheeks could have been a little rounder though. I think he was more handsome than Wayne Rooney.

Comment by: Philip G. on 31st January 2020 at 14:15

Nothing wrong with Impressionism, of course, but oh how the foundry can sometimes mould our heroes quite unfairly, with the occasional spew of brass neck, i.e., the now shifted 'Madeira Ronaldo'.
And to think that in all probability Rembrandt could have rattled-off a decent Grimace, Guffaw, or even a galloping giraffe, before his belly called for nourishment.
Hark! and hear the great man's ever-increasing subterranean circles and eager cry of "Where's mi paint and brushes … I'll show 'em'!".
Aye, shipmates, … .
Oh, "Give it to Billy!" is also heard, with relish.
Thanks, Brian.

Comment by: Arthur on 31st January 2020 at 19:50

Rugby players in Bully Boston's era were proper players' muddy pitches and big tackles. Today it's all about tattoos and hair styles, how times have changed.

Comment by: Owd Cheddar on 4th February 2020 at 23:00

Nowt like the Billy I used to know. But it's a fitting tribute.

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