Ryan Sidebottom revealed he turned down seven counties to make a Yorkshire comeback.
In-demand seamer opted to make Yorkshire comeback
Former England seamer Ryan Sidebottom revealed he turned down contract offers from seven counties to return for a second spell with his native Yorkshire.
The Huddersfield-born left-armer created a clamour for his services at the end of last season, when he decided not to take up a one-year deal with Nottinghamshire after helping them to the LV County Championship title.
The 33-year-old wanted the security of a longer-term contract and when the Tykes came knocking with a three-year offer that is likely to see him through to the end of his playing days, Sidebottom admitted there was only ever one place he wanted to go.
"To come back and play for Yorkshire where it all started was a no-brainer really," he said.
"The opportunity arose and I jumped at the chance. I thought I might finish my career with Notts, but it didn't work out.
"The whole package felt right. My friends and family are up here.
"My wife is heavily pregnant again as well and we have been able to move my young family back up."
Northern lad
Asked how many offers he had to choose from, he added: "All up seven or eight I think. I had a choice of a few, but I suppose I'm a bit of a northern lad so going down south probably wasn't an option.
"The counties that came in for me were Hampshire, Worcestershire, Lancashire, Durham and one or two more.
"But it is absolutely great to be back, it's very exciting."
Sidebottom helped Yorkshire win their most recent first division title in 2001 before leaving for Nottinghamshire in acrimonious circumstances in 2004.
Any division would seemingly be water under the bridge with the club welcoming him back with open arms, although Sidebottom admits, even after seven years away, there is a part of him that would like to prove some people wrong.
"I suppose I have a bit of unfinished business having left under the circumstances I did," he said.
"I want to show I'm a good bowler and can come back and do well.
"To come back and take more wickets for Yorkshire is the ideal opportunity for me.
"I've been welcomed back. Everyone's said 'good luck and it's nice to see you back'.
"That's been great and it's good to see a lot of the old faces. The food men are still here, the food hasn't changed. They still have the same dodgy sandwiches."
