CRAIG Short believes Garry Flitcroft has the ability to manage a Football League club one day after his former Blackburn Rovers team-mate guided Chorley to promotion in his debut season at Victory Park.

Flitcroft took over as Magpies boss last summer, after his debut season in management with Leigh Genesis was hampered by the club’s cash woes.

But the former Blackburn Rovers skipper has galvanised Chorley and they claimed a 2-0 victory over AFC Fylde in the Evo-Stik First Division North play-off final last week.

Short roomed with Flitcroft during their days together at Ewood Park and, having been at Victory Park to witness Chorley’s promotion, he believes his former team-mate has a bright future as a boss.

“I think he can manage in the Football League because he’s a born leader,” said Short, who is himself keen to return to management after being surprisingly relieved of his duties as Notts County boss in late October.

“From what I’ve seen the players have an incredible amount of respect for him because of what he did as a player, but he doesn’t put himself on a pedestal.

“He’s a down to earth lad who has enthusiasm, a big personality and is very driven. He’s the best captain I had and he’s my best mate in the game.

“I know players respond to him, because his team-mates did.”

Short also played with Flitcroft at Sheffield United and said: “I know Neil Warnock sent him a text saying it’s good that he’s starting off at the grass roots and learning.

“He’s got other things that he’s busy with in his life with his properties but because of how he was as a competitor, he will always want that sort of challenge.

“Garry’s loyal. At whatever club he’s at, he wants to see it through.

“But I’m sure if Chorley went on to higher things, in five years’ time they would say, ‘We gave him his chance and he did well for us’.”