Charlie Buchan

Arsenal and Sunderland legend, WWI hero, and pioneer of the WM formation.

Charles Murray Buchan MM (22 September 1891 – 25 June 1960) was an English footballer, sporting journalist and commentator. He played for Woolwich Arsenal, Sunderland, and Arsenal, and is Sunderland's all-time record League goalscorer. He served with the Grenadier Guards and then the Sherwood Foresters during the First World War and was awarded the Military Medal.

Quick Facts

Full name: Charles Murray Buchan
Born: 22 September 1891
Birthplace: Plumstead, London, England
Died: 25 June 1960
Place of death: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Position: Centre forward
Total caps: 481
Total goals: 258

Lore & Background

Buchan started his career in 1909 with Woolwich Arsenal. He moved to Northfleet United as an amateur, then signed for Leyton, before joining Sunderland in 1911. At Sunderland, he won the First Division title in 1912–13 and reached the 1913 FA Cup Final. He was Sunderland's leading scorer for seven of his nine seasons with the club (excluding wartime). He re-joined Arsenal in 1925, captained the club to their first FA Cup final in 1927, and helped pioneer the WM formation with Herbert Chapman. He was capped six times by England, scoring four goals.

Reader's Guide

Buchan's playing career spanned from 1909 to 1928. He scored 209 league goals for Sunderland and 56 goals in 120 matches for Arsenal. After retiring, he became a football journalist with the Daily News (later News Chronicle), commentated for the BBC, co-founded the Football Writers' Association in 1947, and edited Charles Buchan's Football Monthly from 1951 until his death. He published his autobiography, A Lifetime in Football, in 1955.

Did You Know?

He was promoted to temporary second lieutenant on 11 September 1918.
Buchan also played cricket for Durham in the 1920 Minor Counties Championship.
He was the second highest goalscorer in the top flight at retirement, behind Steve Bloomer.