6:40am Wednesday 14th January 2009
By Simon Parker
City today ruled out making any bid for Andy Bishop.
The Bury hitman is expected to be a hot commodity after refusing a new contract to stay at Gigg Lane.
Stuart McCall revealed recently that he had enquired about Bishop’s position but he has not taken it any further since and dismissed suggestions that the striker, who boasts one of the deadliest goal records in the bottom division, could be bound for Valley Parade.
McCall said: “I can categorically state that we have not made any offer or bid for Bishop.
“I’m led to believe that Bury made him a fantastic offer, far and away above what our top-wage player is on. And obviously there would be a transfer fee on top of that, so it’s out the question.”
Tongues were wagging after the City boss was spotted at Gigg Lane on Saturday when Bishop’s Bury edged Barnet 1-0. But McCall insists he was just watching future opponents – City go there on January 27.
He said: “I was originally going to Accrington but it got called off. Then it was Chesterfield and Rochdale but that was also off, so I went to Bury.
“There were only three games on in the division. Bury was the nearest and we play them in two weeks.
“I was there to watch them not Bishop. It wouldn’t have mattered if Bishop was playing or not, I was still going to Bury.
“There’s nothing in it and he wants to play at a higher level anyway.”
Bishop has an impressive scoring record with Bury, netting 57 goals in 118 starts. The former York striker has finished their top scorer for the last three seasons.
Bishop bagged three in two games against City last term, although they kept him quiet in the 1-0 win at Valley Parade in October.
Bury are resigned to losing him, possibly by the end of the January transfer window, but boss Alan Knill confirmed they had received no bids as yet.
He said: “I think he just wants more time to think about it. He’s worked hard to put himself in a good position.
“I don’t think there’s many teams, definitely in our league, that could match the offer we’ve made him.”
Meanwhile, Joe Colbeck came through his first game since October. He played an hour for the reserves in their 1-0 friendly defeat at Manchester United yesterday. Peter Thorne also appeared for a half after his shoulder injury.
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