At the time of writing, Bradford City is still in need of a point to fully secure themselves a spot in the League Two playoffs and to be in with a chance of playing League One football for the first time in 4 seasons.
Mark Hughes’ appointment perhaps raised some eyebrows in the footballing world but, with help from players like Andy Cook, he has guided The Bantams to their highest finish since dropping into the division and will be looking for one final push. The players below are those who still have an air of uncertainty over their futures with the club.
Andy Cook
The biggest name on the Bradford list is centre-forward and main goal threat, Andy Cook. The former Mansfield Town man has scored 26 times in just 35 starts for the Bantams as well as providing a club-leading 6 assists in the push for the playoffs.
Cook signed for City in the summer of 2021 after spending time on loan at Valley Parade and will surely be one that Mark Hughes will be wanting to tie down to an extended contract, regardless of whether they go on to secure promotion.
📸 40' | Striker of the Year.
👞 0-1 🐓#BCAFC | #NORvBRA pic.twitter.com/VTsGG58l8m
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) April 29, 2023
Jamie Walker
The Edinburgh-born winger joined the Bantams on a permanent deal in the summer, following a loan spell the previous season, from Hearts and Transfermarkt state that he will be a free agent come the end of June.
The former Wigan Athletic man only got his season going in November after injury and has made just 22 League Two appearances in 2022-23, finding the net 3 times. Walker has, for the most part, played well in the games he has played so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a new contract offered.
Alex Gilliead
Gilliead joined the Bantams on a two-year deal in the summer of 2021 from crisis club Scunthorpe United and the attacker has made 38 appearances for his side this season.
The 27-year-old from Consett has represented the likes of Carlisle United, Luton Town and Shrewsbury having started his career at Newcastle United and you would expect the Bradford hierarchy to be in conversation to tie him down to a new deal.
Oscar Threlkeld
The former Salford City defender joined the club in the summer of 2021 and has struggled for first-team opportunities, making less than 30 appearances in that time and spending a period on loan at National League side Oldham Athletic.
Threlkeld’s lack of game time strongly suggests his days at Valley Parade are numbered and he will be looking for a deal elsewhere come the summer.
Abo Eisa
Eisa has had yet another injury-disrupted season and has managed only 20 appearances for City over his two seasons at the club since joining from Scunthorpe in June 2021.
Aside from Cook, no one in the side has taken on goal-scoring responsibility and Eisa’s career to date doesn’t suggest he will be the man to do that next season. After a torrid time on the treatment table, Eisa may well be on the hunt for a new club this summer.
Adam Clayton
Despite approaching his mid-thirties, Clayton has proven himself to be a key player in Hughes’ Bradford side, making 12 appearances since signing from fellow League Two side Doncaster Rovers in January of this year. The former Leeds United and Middlesbrough midfielder has made over 30 appearances for his former and current side this season, chipping in with 4 assists.
With the level of his performances, you would imagine both Hughes and Clayton wanting to sit down and discuss an extension and working together to drive the club on.
Colin Doyle
The experienced shot-stopper re-joined Bradford from Kilmarnock as player/goalkeeper coach, having previously played for the club between 2016 and 2018 before a move to Hearts. Doyle has warmed the bench all season and hasn’t stepped onto the pitch due to the fine form of Harry Lewis. His lack of game time could lead him to retire from the playing side and focus on his coaching role. Should Doyle wish to find minutes on the pitch, I would suggest he will be leaving Bradford once again.
Kian Scales
Transfermarkt lists the 20-year-old midfielder as being out of contract this summer but there is no reference on the club’s official website.
The man from Leeds has had two loan spells at Farsley Celtic and has made over 70 first-team appearances shared between the Celt Army and the Bantams. Whether this will be enough to persuade Mark Hughes that he is deserving of a new contract remains to be seen.
📸 15' | A quarter of an hour in – and Kian Scales' first senior goal has the Bantams ahead…
🦅 0-1 🐓#BCAFC | #CityForAll | #COLvBRA pic.twitter.com/Tj3LYdDT6d
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) March 27, 2021
Heath Richardson
Richardson is a 19-year-old goalkeeper who signed his first professional contract last summer and has spent the season with the first team, gaining experience without making an appearance. He has previously spent time on loan at Buxton but his future is a difficult one to predict. With Harry Lewis in fine form and the veteran Colin Doyle potentially extending his playing career, could a new contract and a loan move be in the offing for Richardson or do the club view it as having a suitable cover and allowing him to find pastures new?
Writer’s View
The obvious, high-profile name on the list is Andy Cook who you could be forgiven for thinking the club would have tied down already. Is it simply a case of waiting until after their promotion push or is there something more to it?
The club have a couple of options as a backup goalkeeper and will be hoping there isn’t transfer interest in number one Harry Lewis. The end-of-season contract activity at the club may not throw up many surprises, with those who have featured remaining and those who haven’t moved on – although the biggest of surprises may still happen if a 30-plus goal man walks out of the door.
