Macaulay Gillesphey
English footballer (born 1995)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Macaulay Gillesphey (born 24 November 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Bradford City.
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Gillesphey in 2025 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Macaulay Gillesphey[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 24 November 1995[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Ashington, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Bradford City | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2011–2015 | Newcastle United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2018 | Newcastle United | 0 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | → Carlisle United (loan) | 23 | (2) |
| 2016–2017 | → Carlisle United (loan) | 32 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Carlisle United | 24 | (0) |
| 2019–2021 | Brisbane Roar | 50 | (4) |
| 2021–2024 | Plymouth Argyle | 79 | (3) |
| 2024–2026 | Charlton Athletic | 96 | (7) |
| 2026– | Bradford City | 5 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:10, 5 September 2026 (UTC) | |||
Career
Newcastle United
Gillesphey played for Cramlington Juniors before being signed by Newcastle United where he progressed through the youth academy and signed a professional contract in March 2015.[3] Gillesphey made his professional debut on 24 September 2015 in a 1–1 draw away at Liverpool in the League Cup.[4]
Carlisle United (loan)
Gillesphey went out on loan to Carlisle United in September 2015 along with Newcastle teammate Alex Gilliead.[5] On 29 July 2016, Gillesphey re-joined Carlisle United on loan until 2 January 2017,[6] before later extending the deal to the end of the season.[7]
Carlisle United
Gillesphey re-joined Carlisle United on a permanent basis in June 2018, signing a two-year contract with the club.[8] On 22 May 2019, the club announced a mutual release so that Gillesphey could look for 'a different kind of challenge'.[9]
Brisbane Roar
On 25 June 2019, the Brisbane Roar announced they had signed Gillesphey.[10] He was the fourth signing made by new manager Robbie Fowler.
On 16 September 2020, Gillesphey was named the Gary Wilkins Medalist for the 2019–20 season.[11]
On 15 June 2021, it was confirmed that Gillesphey had turned down the offer of a new contract at The Roar and would be returning to the UK to sign for a club in England.[12]
Plymouth Argyle
On 15 June 2021, Plymouth Argyle announced they had signed Gillesphey on a two-year deal after turning down a new contract with Brisbane Roar.[13][14] He was given additional time off before pre-season due to the late finish of the A-League season.[15]
Gillesphey scored his first goal for Argyle on 5 February 2022 against Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge. The goal gave Argyle an early lead against the reigning European champions in a match they eventually went on lose 2–1 after extra time.[16]
Charlton Athletic
On 12 January 2024, Gillesphey joined Charlton Athletic on a two-and-a-half-year deal, with the option of an extra year, for an undisclosed fee.[17]
On 25 May 2025, Gillesphey scored from a free-kick in the 1–0 League One play-off final win over Leyton Orient at Wembley Stadium, which promoted Charlton back to the Championship.[18]
On 4 July 2025, Gillesphey signed a new two-year contract with a club option of an additional year.[19]
Bradford City
On 1 July 2026, Gillesphey joined Bradford City on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[20][21]
Career statistics
- As of match played 5 September 2026
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Newcastle United | 2015–16 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016–17 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[c] | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Carlisle United (loan) | 2015–16 | League Two | 23 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2 |
| 2016–17 | League Two | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[c] | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
| Total | 55 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 63 | 2 | ||
| Carlisle United | 2018–19 | League Two | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[c] | 1 | 30 | 1 |
| Brisbane Roar | 2019–20 | A-League | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | A-League | 23 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 3 | |
| Total | 50 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 4 | ||
| Plymouth Argyle | 2021–22 | League One | 40 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 47 | 2 |
| 2022–23 | League One | 35 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4[c] | 0 | 40 | 2 | |
| 2023–24 | Championship | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 79 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 91 | 4 | ||
| Charlton Athletic | 2023–24 | League One | 17 | 0 | — | — | — | 17 | 0 | |||
| 2024–25 | League One | 44 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6[d] | 1 | 54 | 6 | |
| 2025–26 | Championship | 35 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 38 | 2 | ||
| Total | 96 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 109 | 8 | ||
| Bradford City | 2026–27 | League One | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| Career total | 256 | 17 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 294 | 19 | ||
- Appearances in EFL Trophy
- Three appearances in the EFL Trophy and three appearances and one goal in the League One play-offs
Honours
Plymouth Argyle
- EFL League One: 2022–23[22]
- EFL Trophy runner-up: 2022–23[23]
Charlton Athletic
Individual
- Gary Wilkins Medal (Brisbane Roar Player of the Year): 2019–20[11]
