Arnie Sidebottom comes to Hereford

10 Feb 2025   |   By Richard Prime

HEREFORDSHIRE Cricket Society’s next guest is one of that now disappeared group of elite sportsmen who played first-class cricket as well as top-flight football.

Arnie Sidebottom played cricket for Yorkshire from 1973 to 1991, reaching the pinnacle of the sport when he was selected to play for England against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1985.

He took 1-65 in Australia’s only innings but was forced off the field due to injury and that remained his only Test appearance.

Arnie’s son Ryan had a much longer Test career, making 22 England appearances as well as gaining a number of one-day international caps.

Arnie moved into coaching at the end of his playing career.

As a centre-back, he helped Manchester United gain promotion to Division One in 1975 before moving on to play for Huddersfield Town and Halifax Town, for whom he played against Hereford United at Edgar Street in November 1978 during his last Football League season.

Arnie Sidebottom will be speaking to the society at Castle House in Hereford on Thursday, February 20 at 7.30pm. Non-members are welcome to attend for a fee of £5.