FORMER Shakers striker Andy Bishop has backed Chris Brass to become the next permanent Bury boss.

Brass has been placed in caretaker charge of the Shakers, alongside youth team manager Ryan Kidd, but has refused to be drawn on whether he wants the job full-time.

However, ex-teammate Bishop, who scored 83 goals over a seven-year period at Gigg Lane, has given his support to the temporary manager and says he believes he has all the attributes to take the lead for the Shakers.

“I believe that Chris Brass is the right man to take the club forward,” Bishop told The Bolton News. “I have played with him and under him.

“He has the ways to motivate players, everybody wants to play for him. He knows and cares about the club immensely and would be my choice to take the club forward.

“Brassy is a football man through and through, he has plenty of experience in League One and Two and has very good tactical knowledge.

“Obviously I feel sorry for Flicker (David Flitcroft), he is a very passionate guy but it's a results-driven business and results just weren't going his way.”

Bishop is currently playing for Hyde United while also helping out in coaching their youth teams. The 34-year-old had a brief spell managing National League side Southport earlier this year but left in September after a barren run of results.

Although he has dipped his toe into management, the forward insisted that he had not applied for the vacant position at Bury, but says one day he would be open to returning in a coaching role.

“I have not applied to become the manager, I don't think I am ready for it yet,” Bishop said.

“One day I would love to come back but I don't think the time is right now. My little lad still goes to all the games and is a massive Bury fan.

“It is a club that is close to my heart and one day in the future maybe.”