A FAMILIAR face has joined a North Yorkshire printing firm, in the shape of White Rose sporting hero Arnie Sidebottom.

Arnie is one of the few people to have made a name for himself playing both cricket and football. He joined Manchester United during 1972 and played alongside sporting legends, including George Best and Bobby Charlton, until 1978.

But it is for playing cricket that he is most well known. Renowned for his bowling excellence, Arnie played professional cricket for Yorkshire between 1971 and 1990.

He played 228 first-class matches, took 596 wickets, had an average of 24.42, took five wickets in an innings 23 times, and ten wickets in a match three times. His highest first-class score was 124, which was his only century, and he also scored 13 half-centuries.

Arnie was a member of Yorkshire's Benson & Hedges Cup-winning side in 1987. He later became a coach.

He was also picked to play for England, playing one Test Match, the Third Test against Australia at Trent Bridge in July 1985, when he took one wicket.

Arnie has now made the transition from sportsman to salesman.

He has joined the sales and marketing team of Knaresborough-based Scriven Park Services, a leading provider of print and mailing services.

Beginning in the production department, he is learning about the business and its products, and is starting to meet clients, take quotes and work on increasing sales.

He said: "Batting, fielding and bowling may not be on the shortlist of skills required by marketing professionals, but I am certainly enjoying the new challenges on offer."

Arnie has been involved in commercial business and corporate promotion since his professional sporting days, and he hopes that this background will help him.

"Although I was initially nervous about the transition from corporate to association involvement, I am excited by the new challenge and hope to open new doors at Scriven Park," he said.

Arnie may have abandoned the pitch for the print room, but his skills are still put to good use, playing with the Bunburys celebrity cricket team for charity.

Updated: 11:36 Tuesday, June 15, 2004