Contractual disputes ended with a switch to Second Division side Bristol Rovers taking him on a free transfer for the 2000–2001 season.
A successful two-year spell at Rushden & Diamonds where he helped them gain promotion to the Second Division in the 2002–03 season as Champions.
[3] After three seasons, a switch to fellow Football Conference side Kidderminster Harriers for a small fee was made in 1996.
[citation needed] He was capped once for the England C squad in May 1997 against the Scottish Highland Football League at Cove Rangers FC's former ground, Allan Park, near Aberdeen.
His performances didn't go unnoticed, Bignot moved on to newly promoted First Division side Crewe Alexandra in August 1997 for £100,000 – a record fee for Kidderminster Harriers at the time.
[citation needed] After falling into dispute in June 2000 with the club over his contract, Bignot was free to leave under the Bosman ruling.
[14] Bignot also scored a memorable goal in the league against rivals Bristol City after just 28 seconds, but he could not prevent his team losing 3–2.
[20] He extended his stay by agreeing a new month's contract in November having taken over the right-back slot for the past couple of games.
[32] Having successfully helped the club avoid relegation, his playing time was limited at the start of the 2008–09 season due to a knee injury.
[37][38] Whilst at Kidderminster Harriers, Bignot played once for the England semi-pro (now England C) Team in May 1997, against the Scottish Highland Football League at Cove Rangers, the Highland Football League Team whose Allan Park ground is six miles south of Aberdeen, his side won 5–0 that Saturday afternoon, with strikers Barry Hayles, Lee Hughes, and goalkeeper Billy Stewart in the England team, all three players who subsequently went on to play at high levels in the English Football League.
[citation needed] Bignot at the age of 24 became manager of Birmingham City Ladies in 1998, and immediately revamped the entire youth structure at the club.
Also in 2001–02 Bignots team upset Doncaster Belles 4–3 in the FA Women's Premier League Cup semi-final.
[40] Having reached the final at Adams Park, Wycombe, Birmingham were thrashed 7–1 by full-time professional Fulham Ladies.
[44] Bignot initially joined Conference North club Solihull Moors as assistant manager towards the end of the 2010–11 season.
[4] This clinched the National League North title and secured promotion in that season with three games still left to play.
[49][50] On 5 November 2015, in the FA Cup first round, Bignots side came up against League Two opposition in the form of Yeovil Town away, they beat the odds and drew 2–2 having been two goals down to earn a replay.
[54][55] Bignot made his full Grimsby Town managerial debut on 9 November 2016, in the EFL Trophy, losing 4–2 at home to Sheffield United.
[56] Bignot made his league managerial debut with Grimsby Town on 12 November 2016 at home against Barnet, drawing 2–2.
[69] On 21 November 2021, Bignot returned to Birmingham City Women to assist interim head coach Darren Carter.
Kidderminster Harriers Rushden & Diamonds Queens Park Rangers Millwall Birmingham City Ladies Solihull Moors