Liam Botham

Infobox Rugby Union biography
playername = Liam Botham


fullname = Liam James Botham
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1977|8|26
cityofbirth = Doncaster, South Yorkshire
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=1
weight = 15 st 8 lb (99 kg)
nickname =
school = Rossall School
university =
relatives = Ian Botham
position = Second row
currentclub = Retired
clubnumber =
youthyears =
youthclubs = Windhill CC
years = 1996
1996–1997
1997–2000
2000–2003
2003
2003–2005
2003–2004
2005
2005
clubs = Hampshire Cricket
West Hartlepool
Cardiff RU
Newcastle Falcons
Bradford Bulls
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Tykes
London Broncos
Wigan Warriors
caps(points) =





19 (10)

5 (0)
repyears =
repteam =
repcaps(points) =
pcupdate =
repupdate =

Liam James Botham (born 26 August 1977 in Doncaster) is a former rugby player who played rugby union and later rugby league. He is the son of English Test cricketer Ian Botham.

Liam initially followed in his father's footsteps, playing county cricket for Hampshire. He took the wicket of former England captain Mike Gatting on his County Championship debut. However, he left the sport in 1997 after just one season to play rugby union for West Hartlepool. He made his debut for the England under-21 team the same year, before successive moves to Cardiff and Newcastle Falcons.

While at Newcastle the club won the Tetley Bitter Cup and reached the final of the European Shield. In 2003 he switched sports again, signing for Super League club Leeds Rhinos. Although playing well for the Rhinos, the 2004 Superleague Champions, Botham signed for struggling Wigan towards the end of the season, feeling he couldn't get a regular place in the Rhinos team.

In 2005 he announced his retirement aged 27 after a neck injury. Towards the end of the 2006 season there were signs that he might return to playing competitive cricket: he played a significant role in an England XI victory against Lancashire in a testimonial match for Andrew Flintoff at Old Trafford. In 2006 Liam setup a company with his friend James Miller; Botham & Miller will offer executive sporting trips to South Africa, Australia and other destinations.

References

He plays for, and is captain of Northallerton Town 1XI

External links

* [http://www.leedscarnegie.co.uk/index_5A13AADCBB20417D82EAA12E710543ED.htm Leeds Tykes profile]
* [http://leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk/leedsrhinos/pastplayers/squad-page.asp?ID=125 Leeds Rhinos profile]
* [http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/9165.html Cricket career]
* [http://www.bothamandmiller.com Botham & Miller]