[3] As a player, Hetherington played as a hooker or second-row forward for Wakefield Trinity, York, Leeds, Hunslet (loan), Kent Invicta and Huddersfield.

He finished his playing career at Sheffield Eagles, a club which he founded in 1984.

After several years in roles as coach and general manager, he sold his shares at Sheffield Eagles in 1996 to become chief executive at Leeds Rhinos.

[5] He left the club in February 1983 after paying Huddersfield £1,000 to be released from his own contract.

[7] After being turned down for a coaching role at York, Hetherington became interested in forming his own rugby league club,[8] and founded Sheffield Eagles in 1984.