Buckle, Edward
Buckle joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18 and participated in the closing stages of the Second World War.
His footballing career started when Manchester United signed him on an amateur contract soon after the war ended. He turned professional in November 1945, and scored on his Football League debut against Charlton Athletic in January 1947. In his first season, he scored four goals in seven games, but Buckle remained a fringe player at the club and was transferred to Everton in November 1949. He flourished at Everton, scoring 31 goals in 97 games over the span of a five-and-a-half-year career with the Toffees.
In 1955, at the age of 30, Buckle was transferred to Exeter City, where he became a first team regular for two seasons. His first league outing for the Grecians was in a goalless draw at Colchester United on the opening day of the 1955-56 season. Buckle was placed on the transfer list at his own request in February 1956. He worked for City club chairman Albert Line's timber company in the summer of 1956. His best season with the Grecians was in 1956-57 when he scored seven goals in 37 league starts.
In July 1957 he received an offer to sign for Gloucester City, which he turned down. In 1957, he took the post of player-manager at Prestatyn, despite Swindon Town making an enquiry for the player, but his stay was a short one and in October 1957 he signed for Wigan Athletic. He came out of retirement for one season in 1961 to play for Dolgellau in the Welsh League. In 1962-63 Buckle was playing for Manchester works team, Lancashire Steel.
He died in 1990.
1955/56, 1956/57, Dolgellau, Edward Buckle, Everton, Forwards, Lancashire Steel, Manchester United, Prestatyn, Wigan Athletic