Alex Gilbey

Colchester United

Born in Dagenham, London, Gilbey grew up in Colchester, Essex, where he attended the Gilberd School. As a youth, he played for Frinton & Walton Youth, before joining and progressing through the Academy at Colchester United, where he was youth team captain. He embarked on his two-year scholarship with the club in 2011 and signed his first professional contract only one year into his scholarship, penning a 2+1⁄2-year deal in February 2012.

Gilbey received his first taste of first-team action during the 2011–12 campaign pre-season. He scored in a friendly against Woodbridge Town on 20 July 2011, opening the scoring in a 4–1 victory. Seven days later, Gilbey grabbed four goals as a youthful U's thrashed Whitton United 6–2. He played for the under-18s alongside featuring in the club's Essex Senior Cup squads, scoring in their 3–1 fourth round win against cup-holders Billericay Town on 9 November.

2012–13 season

Following another pre-season mixing with the senior squad, Gilbey made his professional debut on 9 October 2012 in a Football League Trophy match at Northampton Town, where he came on as a half-time substitute for Marcus Bean. The game ended in a 2–1 loss for Colchester, with Gilbey giving away a penalty from which Northampton scored. He had to wait until 8 December for his next taste of first-team football when he came on as a substitute in a 2–0 home defeat to Oldham Athletic. He replaced Andy Bond after 70 minutes to make his…

As of 5 September 2026

Newport County Conference Premier play-offs: 2013

Milton Keynes Dons EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2018–19 EFL League Two runner-up: 2025–26

Stevenage EFL League Two second-place promotion: 2022–23

Individual Colchester United Young Player of the Year: 2013–14 Colchester United Player of the Year: 2015–16 Milton Keynes Dons Player of the Year: 2018–19, 2019–20, 2023–24 Milton Keynes Dons Players' Player of the Year: 2023–24 EFL League One Player of the Month: December 2019 EFL League Two Player of the Month: November 2024 PFA Team of the Year: 2025–26 League Two