FORMER York City striker Andy Bishop is interested in the club’s managerial vacancy following Jackie McNamara’s decision to step down.

Bishop, who turns 34 next week, would also don the boots, if necessary, should his application be successful, having netted against National League leaders Forest Green already this season.

That goal came during his spell in charge of Southport, whom he parted company with last month after the club had won just one of their opening eight fixtures.

But the ex-Wrexham and Kidderminster forward, who is currently playing on a non-contract basis for former City defender Darren Kelly’s Hyde United team in the Evo-Stik League first division north, did steer the Sandgrounders to safety last term.

Bishop took over, initially on a caretaker basis, following a run of one win in 12 matches under his predecessor Dino Maamria, but was appointed permanently having overseen a six-match unbeaten run, including three victories and as many draws.

Southport, whose wage bill is understood to be a third of the size of that at Bootham Crescent, are currently bottom of the table, but only four points adrift of the Minstermen and, pressing his claims to be McNamara’s replacement, Bishop said: “I know the Conference and League Two inside out.

“When I took over at Southport towards the end of last season, they looked certainties for relegation, but I took them to their best finish for four years. I’m young, hungry and enthusiastic and believe I could have a positive impact.

“I feel one of my biggest strengths is man-management and getting the best out of players, because I turned it around pretty quickly at Southport. I’m also thorough with everything and watch so many games at this level.”

Bishop plundered 38 goals in two seasons for City between 2004 and 2006 in the Conference.

That tally included 26 during his final campaign before moving on to Bury.

But, despite spending seven years with the Lancashire outfit, who currently lie third in the Sky Bet League One standings, Bishop reckons the Minstermen’s potential is greater.

“I lived in York for another two years after I left the club and didn’t really want to leave, but the travelling became a bit too much with a young family,” he explained. “The fans were always brilliant when I was there and they deserve a club they can be proud of.

“The club should be challenging at the top end of League Two or playing in League One. I was at Bury for a number of years and I would consider York to be a bigger club with bigger support, but look at what Bury are doing now.”

With City also struggling for striking options, Bishop still believes he could take on a player-manager role too, adding: “I let myself down a bit over the summer and didn’t do as much work as a player as I might have done, because I thought I’d just be concentrating on management, but I played a game and a half and then scored against Forest Green.

“I’ve carried on playing for Hyde on a non-contract basis to get fit and had offers from a Conference club and one in League Two who wanted to sign me as a player, but I didn’t want to get tied up somewhere and miss out on the next managerial opportunity that came up, because I really enjoyed my first taste of it.”

Bishop is UEFA B qualified and is currently studying for his A licence and, on the influence of managers he has plied his trade for in the past, he said: “Alan Knill was excellent and I’ve also worked for Kevin Blackwell and have a lot of respect for Andy Morrell, who did so well at Wrexham, getting them close to promotion a couple of times.

“I’d include Billy McEwan in that list as well, so I’ve had a bit of everything down the years.”

Having first-hand knowledge of City left-back Alex Whittle, who he plucked from AFC Fylde for Souhtport last term, Bishop is familiar with several other members of the Minstermen’s squad as well.

“Alex was excellent for me after I brought him in at Southport and I tried to keep him,” Bishop pointed out. “I know a lot of the squad and it’s a very big one, but there are a lot of good players who are just under-achieving and need the right person to get the best out of them so the club can start flying up the league.

“I’ve always been a fan of Clovis Kamdjo. He’s a hard-working midfielder who you need a play maker like Simon Heslop around.

“Richard Brodie will also score goals if you get the ball into him.”

The Cannock-born attacker also feels he can strike up the close manager/chairman partnership that club owner Jason McGill stresses is the right working model for any successful club.

“I had a good relationship with Jason,” Bishop explained. “Even when Billy (McEwan) didn’t offer me a new contract, he tried to get me to stay and I have a lot of time and respect for him, because he’s got the club at heart.”

Over the weekend, meanwhile, out-of-work, former Rotherham and Leeds boss Neil Redfearn, who coached at Bootham Crescent under Colin Walker and Martin Foyle, spoke highly of the Minstermen’s potential for any future manager, arousing speculation that he might be interested.

Ex-Carlisle gaffer Greg Abbott, who came close to being appointed manager before the club plumped for McNamara last November, could also come under consideration again, while the work of ex-Morecambe and Forest Green chief Jim Harvey, who led Yorkshire neighbours Halifax to FA Trophy glory at Wembley last season and almost pulled off an unlikely escape from National League relegation, will not have gone unnoticed at Bootham Crescent either.

Harvey is currently in charge of National League North strugglers Altrincham.