It was like my birthday to be asked to return home

PLENTY has happened since Ryan Sidebottom and Martyn Moxon first joined forces.

In the intervening decade-and-half, each has moved on from their beloved Yorkshire, grown through different roles in different counties, only to re-unite back where it all began.

However, director of cricket Moxon may feel a little older than his 50 years when his new signing recollects their early relationship.

Sidebottom was a raw and straggly young bowler emerging through the Academy encountering a grizzled old ex-England Test professional.

"I don't want to embarrass Martyn but I did bowl at him in the nets when I was 17," he told the Yorkshire Post.

"I think that was actually his last season before he retired as a player but, looking back, we also roomed together on our pre-season tour abroad, which would have been his last, too."

It was and Moxon would soon take over the coaching at Headingley before departing for Durham, carving out a reputation as one of the game's top leaders while his eager teenaged colleague continued his own development to emerge as a homegrown seamer of some promise.

Sidebottom – after six years with Nottinghamshire – returns now as a veteran ready to face effervescent hopefuls in those Leeds practice sessions although he is as giddy as any teenager having completed his move back to the Broad Acres.

"I'm absolutely over the moon," he said. "My wife says I've had a big cheesy grin on my face for the last couple of weeks.

"There's been a lot of speculation about me returning to Yorkshire and I've had people stopping me in the supermarket up in Doncaster asking if it's true. I've not been able to say anything and just had to smile but now I can talk about it and it's great."

Sidebottom's enthusiasm for the cause is obvious. It is no secret he never really wanted to leave back in 2003 when he had developed into a leading part of the side's attack.

A mid-season injury should not have been too problematic but when, on his recovery, the left-armer remained on the outside looking in, it became clear there was trouble in the ranks.

There were hints of a clash of personalities and Sidebottom found himself surprisingly being released at the same time as Gavin Hamilton who, admittedly, had been toiling.

Seven years on, having resurrected his England career while at Trent Bridge, he was equally staggered at discovering a return to Headingley was on the cards.

"I never expected to be in a position where I could come back," said Sidebottom, influential as Nottinghamshire lifted the County Championship title last month having also won it with them in 2005.

"When I spoke with Martyn (Moxon) he was surprised I'd become available as well.

"Without sounding big-headed, him and Colin Graves jumped at the chance to sign me and I thought it was my birthday to be able to come back and play for my home country."

Nottinghamshire would only put a two-year deal on the table for the bowler, who was England's player of the year in 2008, and he turned down that and more lucrative deals elsewhere to come under Moxon's command once more.

"I know he's quality as a coach and he was one of the reasons I came back," said Sidebottom.

"There's a lot of history here as well with my father (Arnie) playing for Yorkshire for quite a few years.

"With Jonny Bairstow as well, there's going to be two father and sons playing for Yorkshire next season. I don't know if that's happened before."

Sidebottom, who in 54 first-class Tykes games took 163 wickets at 25.12 between 1997 and 2003, is looking forward to reaquainting himself with the county's famous faithful.

"I think I know the Yorkshire fans," he added. "They like people who give it 100 per cent and play with passion and that forms who I am as a player.

"But I'm very excited working with such a young and talented team as well. Hopefully my little bit of experience and international quality will help take them further.

"I've been lucky enough to win two championships with Notts and one with Yorkshire but every year this side is improving."

Anthony McGrath is the only team-mate still at Headingley who featured in the Tykes' 2001 Championship side but there are others delighted to see his return.

"My wife's brother is a mad Yorkshire fan," explained Sidebottom. "He's hysterical I'm coming back. Overjoyed. To be fair, I'm looking forward to actually moving back to Yorkshire with all the family too.

"It will mean I'll get to see a lot more of my beloved rugby league. There's not too much of that in Nottingham and I spend half my time ignoring the wife while I watch it on telly.

"I'm looking forward to watching some live Super league now and getting to Bradford .

"They are very close to my heart while I know the chief executive at Huddersfield Giants very well, too."