Alex Nicholas Gilliead (born 11 February 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or winger most recently for Shrewsbury Town. He has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-20 levels.
Club career Newcastle United Born in Shotley Bridge, County Durham, Gilliead was offered a trial by Newcastle United in 2011, after he was first noticed playing for Swalwell Juniors. He signed scholarship terms in the summer of 2012, before signing a three-year professional contract with the club on 4 July 2013. Gilliead signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract on 28 January 2016 to keep him at the club until 30 June 2018, with the option of a further year.
Loan to Carlisle United On 14 September 2015, Gilliead joined League Two club Carlisle United on a one-month youth loan. He made his professional debut five days later in a 2–2 draw with York City, assisting both of Carlisle's goals. Gilliead's loan was extended until the end of 2015–16, having made five appearances during his initial loan spell. He followed up his loan extension by scoring his first professional goal two days later in a 1–0 win at home to Exeter City. Gilliead completed the loan spell with 41 appearances and five goals.
Loan to Luton Town On 31 August 2016, Gilliead joined League Two club Luton Town on loan until 7 January 2017. He debuted as an 85th-minute substitute in a 2–1 defeat at home to Grimsby Town on 10 September. Gilliead scored his first goal for Luton in a 2–0 win at home to West Bromwich Albion U21 in the EFL Trophy on 4 October. He later scored his first league goal for the club in a 3–1 win at home to Barnet on 31 December. Gilliead scored two goals in 21 appearances and returned to Newcastle following the expiration of his loan spell.
Loan to Bradford City On 12 January 2017, Gilliead signed for League One club Bradford City on loan until the end of 2016–17. He made his debut two days later as a 76th-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat away to Shrewsbury Town and completed the loan spell with 10 appearances.
Gilliead returned to Bradford City on a six-month loan on 7 July 2017. On 4 January 2018, Gilliead's loan at Bradford was extended until the end of the season. He scored two goals from 48 appearances, as Bradford finished in 11th place in the table.
Shrewsbury Town Gilliead signed for League One club Shrewsbury Town on 10 July 2018 on a two-year contract, following his release by Newcastle.
Scunthorpe United Gilliead signed for Scunthorpe United, who were newly relegated to League Two, on 9 July 2019 on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He was one of 17 players released by Scunthorpe at the end of the 2020–21 season.
Return to Bradford City Gilliead rejoined Bradford City, this time on a permanent basis, in the summer of 2021. His first Bradford goal since 2018 came in a 2-0 home win over Rochdale on 2 October 2021.
Gilliead signed a 2-year contract extension with Bradford in June 2023.
Return to Shrewsbury Town On 30 August 2024, Gilliead returned to League One club Shrewsbury Town on a two-year deal.
On 1 September 2025, Gilliead returned to another of his former clubs, joining Carlisle United on loan until 11 January 2026, ten years on from an initial loan spell with the now National League club.
International career Gilliead has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-20 levels.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNewcastle United2014–15Premier League000000—002015–16Premier League00—00—002016–17Championship00—00—00Total000000—00Carlisle United (loan)2015–16League Two3555010—415Luton Town (loan)2016–17League Two18120—11212Bradford City (loan)2016–17League One90——101002017–18League One421311020482Total511311030582Shrewsbury Town2018–19League One271401032353Scunthorpe United2019–20League Two3561010504262020–21League Two441101010471Total797202060897Bradford City2021–22League Two4312010304912022–23League Two4211020505012023–24League Two383102070483Total123540501501475Shrewsbury Town2024–25League One4201000204502025–26League Two30—100040Total450101020490Carlisle United (loan)2025–26For FA Cup fourth qualifying round: For FA Trophy third round: For FA Trophy fourth round: National League37030—10410Career total4152024111031348124
References
External links