'I'm sure he will be fighting for another promotion' - Bradford City complete permanent deal for Charlton Athletic defender Macaulay Gillesphey

Centre-back who scored 2025 League One play-off final winning goal signs two-year contract with Bantams

Macaulay Gillesphey, Charlton Athletic’s Wembley match-winner, has made a permanent transfer to Bradford City.

No fee has been disclosed for the centre-back, 30. He has signed a two-year contract with the Bantams, who lost in last season’s League One play-off semi-finals against Bolton Wanderers.

Gillesphey was the hero for Charlton in the same knockout competition in 2025. It was his 31st-minute free-kick which proved the difference as the south Londoners won promotion to the Championship as they squeezed past Leyton Orient.

Macaulay Gillesphey (right) with Greg Docherty after Charlton’s League One play-off final win/Picture: Kyle Andrews

Gillesphey, signed from Plymouth Argyle in January 2024, signed a new two-year contract after the Addicks bade farewell to England’s third tier.

In total he made 109 appearances for Charlton and scored eight times, none more important than the set-piece finish at the national stadium.

Gillesphey looked shaky in his opening months on the club’s payroll but was pretty much a constant presence in their defence as the team kept 26 clean sheets in the 2024-25 season.

He played the full 90 minutes in all three of their play-off ties, Nathan Jones’ side posting shutouts in all of them, and started 43 of their matches in the regulation campaign.

Gillesphey’s left-sided central defensive spot came under fresh threat from Amari’i Bell, signed on a free transfer from Luton Town last season. The Jamaican international had a few periods sidelined with injury and Gillesphey was the natural replacement. The biggest concern was that he looked vulnerable to pacey or powerful attackers.

Gillesphey scored in 3-0 wins over Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town last season. His final outing for Charlton was the 3-1 loss at Swansea on the final day, the ex-Carlisle United and Newcastle player completed the full 90 minutes.

Bradford finished fourth in League One in the previous campaign, level on 77 points with third-placed Stockport County. They lost 2-0 on aggregate to Bolton, who went on to win the final against the Hatters and join Lincoln City and Cardiff City in the Championship.

Bantams boss Graham Alexander is confident they can bounce back from their play-off heartbreak. It was their first season at League One level after promotion in May 2025, ending six years in League Two.

"I just think we need to double down on what we are,” said Alexander after their loss to Wanderers. “We need to improve, but we've got the blueprint for something that can be successful and the supporters can be part of.”

Alexander spoke to Bradford’s official website after the addition of Gillesphey. He said: “Macaulay joins us after a successful spell at Charlton, following on from another at Plymouth, winning promotion to the Championship at both.

“He is a very good defender with excellent ability in possession. His attributes will help us progress, and he was very determined to join us. We are excited to work with him.”

Macaulay Gillesphey celebrates his play-off final goal with Alex Gilbert, Thierry Small and Conor Coventry/Picture: Kyle Andrews

Gillesphey told Charlton’s official website: “The last two-and-a-half years have been some of the best of my life and I’ll always look back at my time here with a huge amount of pride. We went through plenty of ups and downs, but those ups have been something else.

“The play-off semi-final against Wycombe was obviously special, but for me to be the one to score the winner at Wembley, in front of nearly 40,000 Addicks, is something me and my family will always treasure.

“Charlton quickly became our home and my daughter was born here, so we’ll always have a special connection with this club and the area. Thank you for everything.”

Addicks boss Jones added: “We’d like to thank Macca.

“We’ve had two-and-a-half really productive years since he first came in. We had some real open and honest conversations about what he needed to do to play in our team and he adjusted quickly. He then had a fantastic year in League One, which culminated in him scoring one of the most important goals in Charlton’s recent history. He then proved that he could also play in the Championship.

“We wish him all the best. He’s going to a fantastic football club with a wonderful manager, because I know Graham Alexander very well.

“I’m sure he’ll be at the top end of League One again and fighting for another promotion. We wish him all the best and thank him for all that he’s done for the club.”

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