Leeds Career

Liam arrived at Headingley in August 2003 from Newcastle Falcons and played five games. He signed predominantly to play for Leeds Tykes but was keen to develop his education in Rugby League so played for the Tykes sister club the Rhinos until the rugby union season started. Liam played for Leeds Tykes in the 2003-2004 season featuring in the Zurich Premiership, the Heineken Cup and winning a man of the match prize for his performance against Harlequins in the Powergen Cup. In total he made 14 appearances scoring two tries. The first of these coming against Rotherham to help the Tykes to a 23-13 win and the second was in the 48-24 defeat against Northampton Saints.

Rugby Career

Prior to making the move into Rugby Union Liam had followed in his father's footsteps by pursuing a career in cricket, playing first class cricket for Hampshire. Liam's rugby career began midway through the 1996-97 season when he quit first class cricket to concentrate on his rugby career
He moved back north to sign for West Hartlepool making his debut in January 1997 and making his debut for England U21 in the same season. At the end of his first season he moved to Wales with Cardiff where he came to national prominence with a string of fine displays in the Welsh capital. He was highly sort after by the Welsh RFU but eventually decided to play for England and was selected for the England A team.
At the start of the 2000-2001 season he moved back to the North East to join Newcastle Falcons and was part of the squad that won the Tetley Bitter Cup and reached the European Shield Final. At the end of the 2002-2003 season, Liam left Newcastle to try his hand at rugby league and after impressing on an initial four game trial at Bradford Bulls, Leeds stepped in to secure his signature on a dual code basis. He committed himself to Rugby League in 2004 and returned to the Rhinos to continue his development and made some impressive appearances in the Senior Academy with his strong running in the second row and accurate goal kicking. Liam made just one substitute appearance for the Rhinos last year, having spent part of the season on loan with London Broncos. Liam left the Rhinos during the 2005 season to join Super League rivals Wigan, having scored 4 tries in 13 appearances for the club that season. He has since announced his retirement due to injury.

Personal Details

Born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, Liam was educated at Rossall School in Lancashire. His rugby talent was originally spotted by former England captain Bill Beaumont, who recommended him to West Hartlepool.
He played first class cricket for Hampshire after attending the Yorkshire Academy but cricket was always in his blood from the start. When his dad, Ian, made his Test debut at the age of 21 against Australia at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in July 1977, his wife Kath was eight months pregnant with the couple's first child Liam, was in the spectator stands.
In his cricket days, Liam was a Right Hand Batsman and a Right Arm Medium Fast bowler and used to play for Windhill CC in the Bradford League.