Simon Johnson, the Chair of the RFL, has congratulated all involved in the unveiling of a statue in Cardiff Bay paying tribute to the trailblazing careers of three of the all-time greats of Rugby League – Billy Boston MBE, Gus Risman and Clive Sullivan MBE.
Johnson attended a star-studded ceremony on behalf of the sport alongside Jonathan Hyland of the RFL’s Facilities Trust, which supported Wales Rugby League and the numerous others involved in the “One Team. One Race: Honouring the Cardiff Bay Rugby Codebreakers” project.
“It was a real honour for me to represent the Rugby Football League at the unveiling of this magnificent statue immortalising the legends of the sport - Billy Boston MBE, Clive Sullivan MBE and Gus Risman,” he said.
“It was an inspiring ceremony, attended by many greats from the Wales sporting pantheon - including Gareth Edwards from rugby union, the Olympians Colin Jackson and Lynn Davies, the footballer Nathan Blake, our own Jim Mills, and many more. “The families of the players were well represented, and it really was a privilege to attend.
“It is a source of pride for Rugby League that our communities welcomed these players all those years ago so that they could achieve their greatness and be forever remembered in our sport.”
Billy Boston MBE, who will be 89 next month, attended in person, with his great friend Jim Mills speaking on his behalf.
The statue was historic in Wales as the first ever to feature non-fictionalised, named black men.
Designed by sculptor Steve Winterburn, whose work is renowned for its realistic, action-filled character, the three heroes were selected for the statue, in Landsea Square, by a public vote.
The ‘One Team. One Race: Honouring the Cardiff Bay Rugby Codebreakers' project behind the statue was established in 2020, and was inspired by calls from the Butetown, and wider Cardiff Bay community, for a fitting tribute to the players who did so much to improve race relations across Britain.
Chairman of the One Team. One Race: Honouring the Cardiff Bay Rugby Codebreakers project, businessman and philanthropist, Sir Stanley Thomas OBE, who kick started fundraising for the statue with a significant personal donation, said:
“I am delighted after just two years of campaigning and raising funds, we as a committee have reached our fundraising target and we are all here today with Billy, the families of all players, donors and local community unveiling this magnificent piece of art by Steve Winterburn that recognises these wonderful sporting legends in their home city of Cardiff.
“I would like to personally extend my thanks to Welsh Government, Cardiff Council, The Heritage and Cultural Exchange, the Peterson Family, Rugby Football League Facilities Trust, Cardiff and Vale College and The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers for their kind donations and the support of Capital Law, Verde Finance, Azets and Rio for their professional skills and time supporting the delivery of this project.”
Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: "To have a statue of these incredible players at the heart of Cardiff Bay, in touching distance of the proud multi-cultural communities where they grew up, will serve as a source of inspiration for generations to come. Their achievements have been overlooked for too long, and I’m delighted that today, they are finally being honoured and celebrated in the city of their birth. I’m grateful to all who’ve helped make it happen”
Chair of the Heritage and Cultural Exchange, Gaynor Legall, said: “I grew up in the same community as these players. They were heroes to us then for their achievements and they still are. It’s wonderful to be here today with members of the local community to see the unveiling of this fantastic statue and have their great deeds recorded for future generations, so they can be a constant source of encouragement and inspiration.”
