Career
Sidebottom started off as a professional football player, playing as a central defender. He joined Manchester United as an amateur in January 1971, and turned professional in 1972. He replaced the injured Jim Holton during the 1974-1975 season in the Second Division.
He later played for Halifax Town as well.
In 2007, he was voted in at Number 5 in The Times poll of the "50 Worst football players (to grace the top division)."
Test match cricket seemed to have passed him by when he went to South Africa as part of the rebel tour led by Graham Gooch in 1982, which also earned him a three-year Test ban. He also played for Orange Free State.
After the ban ended, he was a surprise call up for the Trent Bridge Test in 1985 against Australia, where he took 1 for 65 before limping off injured. His only wicket was that of Bob Holland.
Sidebottom himself admitted that his Test selection came when he was past his prime.
Coaching He continued playing for Yorkshire until 1991, and then went into coaching. He finally left Yorkshire in 2003. Arnie Sidebottom now coaches football and cricket to pupils at Woodhouse Grove School, West Yorkshire.
He also coaches young cricketers at Thongsbridge Club and the Ryan Sidebottom Academy.