James Buchan (footballer)

James Buchan (born in Perth in 1881) was a Scottish footballer.

Buchan played as a half-back and started his career at Hibernian, where he won the 1901-02 Scottish Cup and the 1902-03 Scottish First Division title, making 21 appearances and scoring two goals in the latter campaign. In 1904 he moved south of the border to join Woolwich Arsenal. He made his debut against Newcastle United on 3 September 1904, which was also Arsenal's first ever match in the First Division.

However, he only lasted one season at Arsenal, playing eight matches and scoring no goals, before joining fellow First Division side Manchester City in March 1905, making his debut in a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. He spent six seasons at City, playing 164 games for the club and scoring ten goals; although they were relegated into the Second Division in 1908-09, a season in which Buchan played every match, City won the Second Division title at their first attempt in 1909-10 and with it Buchan won another medal. He left City in 1911, moving back to Scotland to play for Motherwell.