I just came across this article, and since both Billy Boston and Joe Erskine were Cardiff born and bred, I'm sure the article will be of interest, even if their respective sports are not to your taste. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/38206765
Nice one Vetch. It's amazing how he was such a hero up''t north but much less so down here, despite his roots. It emphasises both the racial and amateur/professional discrimination of the time. Great tale about the money.
Boston was/is a folk hero in Wigan. He was the biggest player in League at the time. One that got away, a bit like John Charles going to Leeds. £3,000.00, eh.? Today's players carry more than that in their back pocket when they go out for a curry. I remember listening to Erskine's fights on the old steam radio.
£3,000.00, eh.? Today's players carry more than that in their back pocket when they go out for a curry. So true. If they were mugged for that they wouldn't notice. Erskine a bit before my time but my Dad used to love listening to all the old boxing stuff and even more so once it started on tv. I once got Henry Cooper's autograph at a sporting lunch and got him to address it to my Dad. He was so chuffed. My Dad I mean, not Henry.
I'm not a boxing fan really, but there was something magical about the fights that were broadcast on the radio. Terrific atmosphere, and the commentators were so good at their job, you felt that you were actually in the arena. I bet Coop was "chuffed" as well. What a great guy he was .
Now what would he be worth nowadays? Duncan Edwards the same. Paul Pogba and Ya Ya Toure eat your hearts out!!!
