Martin Buchan

Martin Buchan

Personal information
Full name	Martin McLean Buchan
Date of birth	(1949-03-06) 6 March 1949
Place of birth	Aberdeen, Scotland
Position(s)	Centre-back
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1965–1972	Aberdeen	134	(9)
1972–1983	Manchester United	456	(4)
1983–1985	Oldham Athletic	28	(0)
Total		618	(13)
International career
1971–1978	Scotland	34	(0)
Managerial career
1985	Burnley
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Martin McLean Buchan (born 6 March 1949 in Aberdeen) is a Scottish former footballer. Buchan was a central defender for Manchester United in 1972–1983, and captained the late 1970s teams for six years. He was signed from Aberdeen by Manchester United manager Frank O'Farrell on 29 February 1972 for £120,000, and at the time was the club's record signing.

Buchan's first game for United came on 4 March 1972 against Tottenham in the First Division. He was unable to prevent United from suffering relegation to the Second Division in 1973–74, his first season as club captain following the retirement of Bobby Charlton. However, United bounced back at the first attempt as Second Division champions.

He helped United win the 1977 FA Cup Final against Liverpool, which they won 2–1. He also helped them reach another final in 1979, where they lost 3–2 to Arsenal. He was in the team for the 1982–83 season when they reached another FA Cup final, beating Brighton 4–0 in the replay after a 2–2 draw, but did not make the team for the final.

He left the club in August 1983 after injuries caught up with him, signing for Oldham Athletic on a free transfer. He had played in 456 games, scoring 4 goals, one of which was a superb, yet somewhat uncharacteristic, long-range drive against Everton.

On 22 June 1985, Buchan was appointed manager of Burnley, who had just been relegated to the Fourth Division for the first time in their history – 25 years after being league champions. Buchan lasted less than four months at Turf Moor, resigning on 10 October 1985.

Buchan won 34 caps for Scotland, making his international debut in 1971 against Portugal and his last appearance in 1978 against the same country. He played in the 1974 World Cup finals and 1978 World Cup finals and captained Scotland twice: in 1975 against Romania and in 1977 against Argentina.

Buchan is the only player to captain both Scottish and English FA Cup-winning sides (Aberdeen, 1970; Manchester United, 1977).

Buchan's family have a history of involvement in professional football. His son Jamie, played with Aberdeen and is currently with Highland Football League side Cove Rangers, while his father, Martin senior, and brother George both played for Aberdeen.

Buchan currently works for the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) in London, England.

References

Template:1977–78 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year