Arthur Bavin was one of a number of players who guested for opposing clubs when they arrived with insufficient players during the First World War. He appeared at right-half for Leeds City when they lost 1-0 at Lincoln on 19 October 1918.

Bavin turned out for Lincoln Liberal Club before signing for Lincoln City, a club struggling to survive in the Second Division of the Football League, in 1907. He made five first-team appearances for the Imps, before drifting into non-league football with Worksop Town, Grantham Avenue, Mansfield Mechanics and Grantham. He rejoined Lincoln City in 1914 after they had regained a place in the league, but failed to make the grade and joined Barnsley after the war, also spending time with Llanelli and Grantham.

He played as a cricketer for Lincolnshire in the Minor Counties competition between 1911 and 1926.

Bavin died in Lincoln on 4 January 1961.