A new statue of three Welsh rugby league legends has been unveiled today in Cardiff Bay. The bronze depiction of Billy Boston, Clive Sullivan and Gus Risman was revealed today in Landsea Square, Mermaid Quay.
Over a hundred people gathered to witness the unveiling of the statue, including, family, friends, members of the public and famous Welsh sports stars.
The ‘One Team – One Race, Honouring the Cardiff Bay Rugby Codebreakers’ project launched in 2020 and raised money to create a statue that honours 13 sports stars who grew up within a three-mile radius of Cardiff Bay. Three of the 13 rugby ‘codebreakers’ were selected to be represented in the statue after a public vote of more than 14,000 participants, whilst the other 10 have plaques of their names included on the statue.
It is the first statue in Wales ever to feature non-fictionalised, named black men.
A choir of local Cardiff school children started the event by singing Welsh hymn, Calon Lan, with members of the audience joining them in song. This was followed by a number of speakers who shared their pride and excitement for the new statue.
Billy Boston MBE, born in 1934, grew up on Angelina Street in Tiger Bay and played rugby for Cardiff Schools, Boys Clubs of Wales, Wales Youth, the CIACS and Neath in rugby union before signing for Wigan RL in 1953. Mr Boston was in attendance at the unveiling and watched as the third statue of himself was revealed. At the event he said: “Cardiff and Wales have always held a special place in my heart. Wigan adopted me and became my home from home.
“But all of a sudden as I look up and see my arms around Gus and Clive on this statue, I feel very much at home. I may have been a Wiganer for the past 70 years but it looks as though I am home to stay now.”
Billy Boston alongside the statue of himself and his fellow rugby legends
(Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency)
Many family members of the three rugby legends attended the unveiling, sharing their pride as their, brothers, uncles and grandfathers were celebrated.
Sharon Dixon, sister of Clive Sullivan, told WalesOnline: “I’m incredibly proud, its been a long time coming, it does feel as if they’ve come home. It’s been an incredible journey. It’s been talked about for such a long time and somebody has taken action. It’s so important that we take action, if you want something to happen, talking about it is not really going to cut it. These guys were trailblazers, they put Cardiff on the map in terms of rugby and now if we can have wonderful people coming out of the community because of these , it’s a job well done.”
Sharon Dixon
(Image: TAITE JOHNSON)
Nathan Blake, Welsh former professional footballer and nephew of Sullivan, said: “It’s really significant, one because of Tiger Bay and the docks and the different cultures that came to Wales but also to be recognised in your hometown so many years later. I think it’s fantastic all round. The background behind the statue is inspirational, not just now but in many years to come.”
Nathan Blake (Left), pictured with his cousin Anthony Sullivan, son of Clive Sullivan
(Image: TAITE JOHNSON)
Rosalyn Sullivan, wife of the late Sullivan, said: “I’m so proud and I’m so happy for Clive that he’s home. It’s sad as well, seeing him here and him not being able to see how much he’s admired, it’s such an overwhelming time. He’d have been over the moon, I don’t think he would have believed that they’d put a statue here about rugby league and to be honoured like this.”
Rosalyn Sullivan
(Image: TAITE JOHNSON)
The new sculpture was erected by sculptor, Steve Winterburn of Yorkshire Fine Arts. Steve was chosen due to his experience creating statues of sporting legends, including previous sculptures of both Billy Boston MBE and Clive Sullivan MBE.
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