LIAM Botham, who played first class cricket for Hampshire as a teenager before becoming a professional rugby union and league player is returning to the game with Northallerton Town.

Botham, 28, who lives in Ravensworth near Richmond, was forced to end his rugby career last year after a neck injury. He has signed as an amateur with Northallerton of the Darlington Building Society NYSD Premier League.

Northallerton secretary David Wake said: "We are delighted to welcome Liam. He agreed to join us after talking with Doug Mulholland who teaches at Liam's son's school."

Club captain Ian Gill added: "We regard getting Liam as quite a coup and a season that was already looking exciting for us is even more so now.

"Most of all we want to ensure that Liam just enjoys his cricket with us. We are a friendly club and believe we have a reputation for playing the game in the right spirit."

Northallerton recently announced the signing of a second professional for the new season, Indian batsman Rashmi Paridi, to join long-serving all-rounder Jonathan Barnes.

Botham begins his NYSD campaign on Saturday, April 22 with a visit to League champions Saltburn. Their first home game, on April 29, is against Middlesbrough.

l The club have also launched a new website on www.ntcc.moonfruit.com.

l After spending a season with Hampshire CC, Botham left in 1997 and began his rugby union career with West Hartlepool, making his England Under-21 debut before moves to Cardiff and Newcastle Falcons.

In 2003, he switched codes, signing for Super League club Leeds Rhinos. At the end of that season he moved to Wigan Warriors, but announced his retirement last year after a neck injury.