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| John Buckley |
 John William Buckley was born on Thursday, 10th May, 1962, in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire. The 5' 9 (10st 10lbs) forward temporarily transferred to Peter Cormack's Thistle on Wednesday, 30th March, 1983, from his parent club, Celtic. Aged 20, he made his debut appearance on Saturday, 2nd April, 1983, in a 2-1 win at home to St Johnstone in the SFL First Division. That day, John became a member of our scoring debutant's club. He scored the last of his 11 goals on Tuesday, 26th March, 1991, in a 1-0 win at home to Dundee in the SFL First Division. He played his last game for the club on Saturday, 11th May, 1991, in a 7-1 defeat away to Clydebank in the SFL First Division, having appeared as a Jag on 76 occasions. John's club-list included Queen's Park, Celtic, Partick Thistle, Doncaster Rovers, Leeds United, Leicester City, Rotherham United and Scunthorpe United. |
 Originally on loan from Celtic at the end of the first season in Division One as Peter Cormack's side pushed for promotion. Immediately established himself as a favourite of the crowd with his speed and accurate crosses from the left wing. Returned to Celtic at the end of the season but made a quick comeback when he joined Thistle along with a sum of money in return for Brian Whittaker. Played in the following season before leaving for Doncaster Rovers. After a spell with Thistle in the mid 1980's John rejoined Thistle from Rotherham in the early months of the 90/91 season not long after Jim Oliver assumed control of the club. In what was arguably the most exciting to watch Thistle side of the decade Buckley fitted in well. Nevertheless the team were never able to consistently perform well and promotion would not be achieved until the following season. By then Buckley had again left the club; unable to sell his house in England he moved back south to sign for Scunthorpe before rejoining Rotherham. While at Rotherham he suffered a head injury that ended his playing career and for a while even threatened his life. Thankfully he made a full recovery. |
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