John Buckley (footballer, born 1962)

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John William Buckley (born 18 May 1962) is a Scottish former football player and coach. Born in East Kilbride, he was a midfielder who began his career in Celtic’s youth system and made his first-team debut in 1982.

Buckley later played for Partick Thistle, Doncaster Rovers, Leeds United, Leicester City (on loan), and Rotherham United. He also had spells back at Partick Thistle and at Scunthorpe United. In March 1993, he suffered a serious head injury that led to his retirement from playing at age 31. He tried to return with smaller clubs but ultimately stopped playing.

After retiring, Buckley trained as a coach and worked with youth teams at Leeds United and Hull City. In 2003 he became manager of Doncaster Rovers Belles, the women’s team, a role he held until 2013. Under his leadership the Belles reached the FA Women’s Premier League Cup final in 2009 and helped the club survive financially during tough times. The team became founder members of the FA WSL in 2010. He left in September 2013 by mutual consent after the FA demoted the Belles from the top level. Buckley later said he left because the board appointed a director of football behind his back. He has also worked as a coach at Balby Carr Community Academy and with Doncaster New College.