Former Southport boss Andy Bishop returns to playing with Hyde United

VETERAN striker Andy Bishop is lacing up his boots again after his spell as Southport manager, signing for Step 4 club Hyde United.

Bishop, still only 33, left the Sandgrounders at the beginning of the month after a tough start to the National League season.

He was named as the successor to Dino Maamria in April after an impressive spell in caretaker charge and led the club to 16th last term before just one win in their opening eight games of this campaign.

Bishop has returned to football just a few weeks after his Southport departure, making his Hyde debut on Tuesday night in the Tigers’ 4-0 win at Prescot Cables.

He impressed in his first game for Darren Kelly’s side and while he didn’t get on the scoresheet, he helped Hyde seal a comprehensive victory.

The match report on the Tigers’ website described Bishop as “the missing piece to pull this group of players into a squad who can challenge”.

Bishop started his career at Walsall but made his debut for Kidderminster Harriers before also playing for Rochdale and Yeovil Town.

He really made his name at Bury, however, netting 83 goals in 264 appearances over a seven-year spell with the Shakers before his move into Non-League with Wrexham.