Graham Alexander’s side, Bradford City, are looking to go a step further next season after losing 2-0 to Bolton Wanderers in the semi-finals of the playoffs, meaning the club will remain in League One for the upcoming season.
Now, a focus on the summer transfer window will start for the 54-year-old manager, working with David Sharpe and Stephen Gent in recruiting for potential promotion to the EFL Championship.
Based on the strong campaign that the outfit had, limited business needs to be done, but it is clear to Bantams fans where one of the main issues lies- Goalkeeper.
Over recent seasons, the Bantams have had a variety of goalkeepers, with some being more successful than others.
Last season, Alexander chose to start Joe Hilton in a selected amount of the Vertu Trophy games. However, the 26-year-old was arguably poor in these encounters.
Following this, the boss insisted on playing Sam Walker in goal throughout the full season in the league, mainly for his leadership and due to the lack of depth and quality in that position. However, fans were arguably against this due to the keeper’s errors, especially in the latter stages of the campaign.
Meanwhile, the departure of Hilton it leaves the outfit even shorter in that position, which gives Alexander limited options.
Sam Walker in the 2025/26 season:
| Games Played | 46 |
| Saves | 106 |
| Save Percentage | 67.5% |
| Goals Conceded | 51 |
| Goals Prevented | -1.46 |
| Clean Sheets | 14 |
| Error Led To Goal | 1 |
| Acted As Sweeper | 30 |
| High Claim | 53 |
Joe Hilton in the 2025/26 season:
| Games Played | 3 |
| Saves | 3 |
| Save Percentage | 37.5% |
| Goals Conceded | 5 |
| Goals Prevented | -5.00 |
| Clean Sheets | 0 |
| Error Led To Goal | 0 |
| Penalty Save Percentage | 0% |
| High Claim | 1 |
There have been limited goalkeeper links for Bradford in the off season so far, but there is still plenty of time to recruit a goalkeeper.
Bradford City fan and Lower Tiers’ correspondent Luke Barras stated: “Looking at it logically, following the departure of Joe Hilton, it is only sensible for the club to recruit another goalkeeper. Depth in the position now appears bleak following the departure, with academy graduate Zac Hadi and Sam Walker the only two goalkeepers at the club.
“Walker may yet retain the starting position for the new season, dependent on who Bradford decide to go for, although, given the mistakes that were seen from Walker towards the end of last season, it is likely that he will be retained primarily as an option off the bench.
“It is unclear who Bradford City will try to recruit in the position yet, given the window has not yet opened.
“To improve defensive efforts, avoid critical mistakes, and ensure that the Bantams can put together a push for the play-offs next season, recruiting a new goalkeeper is pivotal.”
With the squad currently at a large size due to the outfit still holding the core of the squad, the club will have to see outgoings before they sign a goalkeeper on loan or permanently.
However, a signing of a goalkeeper could be key in launching another promotion bid under Alexander next season.
Bradley Collins
During his loan spell at Burton Albion last campaign, Bradley Collins featured 40 times for the Brewers in the league, whilst keeping 11 clean sheets and pulling off 109 saves.
Furthermore, the 29-year-old completed 720 successful passes and held an accurate long ball rate of 37.3% within these encounters.
Meanwhile, the former Barnsley FC man was released by Coventry City following the end of the season, so the Bantams could pick up the goalkeeper on a free transfer.
Filip Marschall
In his time at Stevenage FC last campaign, reaching the League One playoffs, Filip Marschall featured 45 times for the Boro in the league whilst keeping 19 clean sheets and pulling off 85 saves.
Furthermore, the 23-year-old completed 569 successful passes and 361 accurate long balls whilst acting as a sweeper 59 times.
Meanwhile, the former Crewe Alexandra man’s contract at Stevenage lasts until the summer of 2027, so this move would require the Bantams to pay a fee.
Joe Whitworth
During his second loan spell at Exeter City last campaign, Joe Whitworth featured 39 times for the Grecians in the league whilst keeping 11 clean sheets and pulling off 104 saves.
Additionally, the 22-year-old completed 1289 successful passes and 331 accurate long balls whilst acting as a sweeper 48 times.
Meanwhile, the current Crystal Palace man’s contract lasts until the summer of 2027, so this move may require the Bantams to pay a small fee or recruit the keeper on loan.
