By Mally (26/01/03)
April 11 2003

Liam Botham

Liam Botham joined Newcastle Falcons from Cardiff in the summer of 2000, and according to Jonny Wilkinson in "Lions and Falcons" Liam was 'for obvious reasons' immediately christened "Son Of" by Inga Tuigamala.

With cricketing legend Ian Botham for a father it is no surprise that Liam's began his sporting career playing cricket. Liam made his first class cricketing debut for Hampshire just 48 hours after his 19th birthday. Botham didn't change sport's due to any lack of cricketing ability, as he commented in a BBC online interview:

"I was three-quarters of the way through the cricket season with Hampshire, when I just thought: 'what am I doing here?' There was a lot of talk about what I was going to do in cricket, but in the end it was just my gut instinct to play rugby."

Liam swapped first class county cricket for second division rugby with West Hartlepool, a move to Cardiff followed along with an England A call up. In his first season for Newcastle Falcons Botham was dogged by injury and some fans were not too impressed with his performances, nicknaming him "Sloth". 

How things change. This season Liam Botham has been a mainstay in the Newcastle Falcons back three. Newcastle Falcons have struggled this season but Botham has been one player who has consistently given 110%. His efforts have been much appreciated by the fans and on on consecutive months he has won the Newcastle Falcons Supporters Club 'Player of the Month' award.

While he listed as a "wing / centre" on the official website this season has seen him cover for the injured Dave Walder at fullback. The injury to Jonny Wilkinson in the England v South Africa match, led to Liam also taking over goal kicking duties.

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• Wisden Schools Career Review - Liam Botham

Profile last updated 26/01/03

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