Pranksters shin up statue to Wigan rugby legend to put a mask on it

Smiles, frowns and puzzlement from the public have met a pranking change to a Wigan town centre landmark.
By Charles Graham
Published 21st Sep 2022, 04:55 BST
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For someone clambered up the bronze Billy Boston statue in Believe Square and put a mask on him.

For some onlookers it was disrespectful of the rugby league legend while others thought it a harmless wheeze.

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One told Wigan Today: “I suppose this is someone’s idea of funny. I don’t get it and find it ever so slightly sinister and not respectful of the great man himself.”

The masked Boston statueThe masked Boston statue
The masked Boston statue
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Another said: “It doesn’t do any harm. It just looks a bit wacky that’s all.

"I really would have been upset if the statue had been vandalised in some way.”

During his 15 years at Central Park, Billy scored a club-record 478 tries in his 488 appearances for the club. He now lives in retirement in Hawkley Hall and still attends games.

The mask has since been removed.

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