Bradford City midfielder Alex Gilliead has been told he has no future at Valley Parade, with just weeks left of the transfer window.
As per the Yorkshire Post, Gilliead has rejected moves away from the Bantams over the summer, but manager Graham Alexander has now made it clear the 28-year-old has no future with the League Two promotion hopefuls. He has failed to make the matchday squad for their opening two fixtures, and Alexander said he wants the player to come to the right conclusion over his future.
“I want Gilly to make the decision that he sees best for his career,” he said. “When a player is 20-21, I think we almost have to direct them with the value of our experience of what the future could potentially look like either here or somewhere else.”
Whilst effectively being told he has no future at the club, the former Scunthorpe United boss confessed he hoped that his forthrightness would be what the player preferred, rather than a smoke-and-mirrors approach.
“When players are like Gilly at 27-28, you have to have a good conversation and paint a picture, but then the decision has to come from him. That’s how I wanted to be treated at that age.”
Gilliead started his career with Newcastle United, enjoying loan spells with Carlisle United and Luton Town before a double stint with the Bantams. He later represented both Shrewsbury Town and Scunthorpe United in permanent stints before his move to Valley Parade in 2021. He penned a two-year deal in 2023, meaning he is contracted until next summer. However, it looks unlikely he’ll play a part this season.
“I’m not going to keep anyone here as a prisoner who doesn’t want to be here,” added Alexander. “He asked me a couple of questions and I gave him honest answers. Now it’s down to him to think about his future.”
Bradford got their season off to a good start, beating Alexander’s former club, MK Dons, on the opening day. A 1-1 draw with Grimsby in the League Cup led to elimination on penalties, but that defeat will be quickly put behind them if they get a result against another of Alexander’s former clubs, Salford City, this weekend.
Writer’s View
Alexander has always been an open and honest manager, and that will likely please some players, and not others. How will it affect Gilliead? There is a double message coming out of the club – on the one hand, Alexander mentions keeping a player who doesn’t want to be at the club, but the fact he’s turned down moves proves he does want to remain at Valley Parade.
There’s a really good League Two player in there, and Gilliead would be a huge asset to many in the division. He’s a good age and if Bradford don’t want him, there’s likely to be a bargain on offer to those needing a new face. If the decision does lay with the player, surely there’s only one outcome in the next few weeks?
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