John Buchanan (footballer, born 1935) explained

John Buchanan
Birth Date:1935 1, df=y
Birth Place:Edinburgh, Scotland
Death Place:Edinburgh, Scotland
Position:Centre forward
Youthyears1:–1954
Youthclubs1:Edinburgh Waverley
Years1:1954–1961
Clubs1:Hibernian
Years2:1961
Clubs2:Raith Rovers
Years3:1961–1962
Clubs3:Newport County
Caps1:13
Goals1:6
Caps2:8
Goals2:1
Caps3:31
Goals3:7

John Buchanan (3 January 1935 – 1 September 2009) was a Scottish footballer, who played for Hibernian, Raith Rovers and Newport County in the 1950s and 1960s.

Buchanan, who was born and educated in Leith, played for youth side Edinburgh Waverley as a centre half.[1] He signed for Hibs in 1954, and made his first team debut the same year, having been converted to the centre forward position.[1] In 1955, he became the first player to score a goal on British soil in the first season of the European Cup, scoring the opening goal of a 1–1 draw in a first round tie between Hibs and Rot-Weiss Essen.[2] [3] Despite being a prolific goalscorer for Hibs' reserve team, Buchanan found difficulty in winning a place in the first team, as the club enjoyed the services of internationals Lawrie Reilly and Joe Baker.[2] His time at Hibs was also interrupted by two years of National Service, which Buchanan spent with the Royal Artillery in Oswestry.[1]

Buchanan's last first team appearance for Hibs was in a 2–1 defeat against Rangers at Ibrox in December 1960.[2] He was then transferred to Raith Rovers, who he played for in the rest of the 1960–61 season.[2] After a season in English football with Newport County, Buchanan returned to Scotland to play for Gala Fairydean, Duns and Hawick Royal Albert.[2] After retiring as a player, he moved back to his native Edinburgh and became a taxi driver.[2]

Buchanan died in September 2009 after suffering a long illness.[2]

Notes and References

  1. http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Hibs39-historic-goalscorer-Buchanan-dies.5620653.jp Hibs' historic goalscorer Buchanan dies aged 74
  2. http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Hibs39-home-Euro-score-.5618247.jp Hibs' home Euro score Jock Buchanan dies after illness
  3. https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec195556det.html European Champions' Cup 1955-56 – Details