Born in Cannock, Staffordshire, Bishop started his career at Walsall's youth system as a trainee, signing a professional contract on 9 August 2002.[1] He joined Kidderminster Harriers on a one-month loan on 18 November 2002.[2] Kidderminster extended this loan in December 2002.[3] He joined Kidderminster for a second spell, joining on loan at the start of the 2003–04 season.[4] His loan at Kidderminster was extended for a second month in September 2003.[4]
He was signed by Rochdale on a one-month loan on 20 November 2003.[5] This loan was extended for a second month in December 2003.[6] He returned to Walsall in January 2004, after Rochdale opted not to extend his loan.[7]
He joined Yeovil Town on a one-month loan on 5 February 2004.[1] Yeovil decided not to sign Bishop on a permanent deal, because of niggling injury problems.[8]
York City
Bishop was signed by Conference National team York City on 15 July 2004 after rejecting a new deal at Walsall.[9][10] He was named the Conference National Player of the Month for February 2006, having scored seven goals to help York move into a play-off place during that month.[11] He scored 22 goals for York in the Conference National during 2005–06,[12] which made him the division's top scorer.[13]
Bishop joined League Two club Bury on a free transfer on 8 May 2006, signing a two-year contract.[14] He marked his first season back in the Football League by scoring 21 goals in all competitions,[15] becoming the first Bury player to score 20 or more goals in a season for 13 seasons.[16] He signed a new deal with Bury, which would expire in June 2010, in September 2007.[17]
Bury offered Bishop a new contract in January 2009,[18] but he rejected it to weigh up his options.[19] However, he eventually signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract, which contracted him at the club until June 2012.[20] Bishop missed the majority of 2009–10 due to two surgeries,[21] and only returned to full fitness in February 2010.[22]Grimsby Town made an enquiry for Bishop in May 2010, following their relegation into the Conference Premier.[23] On 30 November 2011, Bishop signed a contract extension with Bury until the end of the 2013–14 season.[24]
On 31 August 2012, Bishop signed for Conference Premier club Wrexham on loan until 2 January 2013.[25] He made his debut in Wrexham's 0–0 draw away to Luton Town on 15 September 2012, before scoring his first goal the following week in a 2–2 home draw with Dartford.[26] He was recalled by Bury on 4 October 2012, after making four appearances and scoring two goals.[27] His return to the team came after starting in a 1–1 extra time draw with Rochdale in the Football League Trophy second round, which Bury won 5–4 in a penalty shoot-out.[28]
Wrexham
Bishop joined Conference Premier side Wrexham permanently on a two-year contract on 9 July 2013.[29] Bishop made his debut in his second spell in a 2–1 home win against Welling United, before scoring his first goal on 14 September 2013 in a 2–0 home win against Luton.[26] Bishop achieved his first hat-trick for Wrexham in November 2013, as they came from behind to beat Gateshead 3–2.[26] He was released by new manager Gary Mills in May 2015.[30]
Bishop made his first appearance for Southport against Barrow on 29 August 2015 in a 1-0 losing effort. He scored his first goal for the club on 17 October 2015, the only goal in a 1–0 win over Kidderminster Harriers. He was appointed as Southport's caretaker manager on 19 March 2016,[33] and took charge of their 1–0 away defeat to Torquay United the same day.[34] He was appointed as player-manager permanently on 27 April 2016, after losing only one of his first seven matches in charge.[35] His Southport team finished the 2015–16 National League in 16th place.[36] On 3 September 2016, Bishop parted company Southport, after the team won only one of their first eight matches of 2016–17.[37]
