England Players - 365. Charlie Buchan

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Players Index	Page Last Updated 12 August 2025

Charlie Buchan	Sunderland AFC 6 appearances, 4 goals one goal on his debut P 6 W 2 D 2 L 2 F 9: A 6 50% successful 1912-24 captain: twice minutes played: 540

Timeline
	Corporal Charles Murray Buchan
	According to the 1891 census, the Scottish Jane Buchan (née Murray) is pregnant with the child that would become Charles. His Scots-father, William, is a blacksmith, and they live at 151 Reidhaven Road in Plumstead, along with siblings, Jeannie, William and Thomas Murray.
Birth	Tuesday, 22 September 1891 at 151 Reidhaven Road, Plumstead, London
	registered in Woolwich October-December 1891
Education	Attended the High Street School in Plumstead, Bloomfield Road School, and then Woolwich Polytechnic Secondary School.
	According to the school admission register, on 20 June 1898, they were still living at 151 Reidhaven Road. According to the 1901 census, Charles is the fourth child of five to Scots-father William and Jane. They live at 8 Nyanza Street in Plumstead. His father is a blacksmith. Left High Street School on 22 July 1903.
	According to the 1911 census, Charles Murray is a professional footballer residing at the Grand Hotel in Bridges Street, Sunderland. He had just signed for Sunderland AFC.
Marriage	to Ellen Robson, on Monday morning, 2 February 1914 at Bishopwearmouth Church, Sunderland, County Durham
	registered in Sunderland January-March 1914
"MARRIAGE. "BUCHAN—ROBSON.—At Bishopwearmouth Church, on the 2nd inst., Charles Buchan to Nell Robson." - Sunderland Daily Echo, Monday, 2 February 1914
Children	Charlie and Nell Buchan have two children together. Joan (b.12 August 1914) and Angus
	"Charles M. Buchan, of Sunderland, the well-known International Association football player, yesterday enlisted in the Grenadier Guards as a private." - The Manchester Evening News, Wednesday, 4 August 1915
	According to his army records (24143), as part of the Grenadier Guards, he was living at 19 Side Cliff Road in Roker, Sunderland. He attained the rank of Corporal. According to the 1921 census, Charles Murray, a sports athletic outfitter and shopkeeper, is now married to Ellen, and with two children, Angus and Joan, they are holidaying at the Helaina Hotel at 13 Blenheim Terrace in Scarborough. And according to the London Electoral Rolls, Charles and Ellen are living at 27 Mayfield Gardens in Hendon in 1928. Although by 1931 until at least 1934, they are living at 77 Templars Avenue, also in Hendon. By 1951, until his death, they are living at 22 Millbrooke Court in Putney. And according to the British Phone Books, could be contacted there at VANdyke 4795
	According to the 1939 register, Charles M., a sports journalist, and Ellen are still married, living at 77 Templars Avenue in Hendon, with their daughter, Joan.
Death	Saturday night, 25 June 1960 at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, south France. He was on holiday at the time, when he suffered from a heart attack. Living at 22 Milbrooke Court in Keswick Road, Putney, at the time.
aged 68 years 326 days	not registered in England
Obituary
"Arsenal paid £100 per Buchan goal "THE giants of sport pass on, remorselessly as time, and with the departure of that Prince of Inside-Forwards, Charles Murray Buchan, Soccer mourns a giant who will ever remain a vivid legend of the Sporting Twenties. "Big Charlie, as we called him affectionately in Fleet Street, was a lean and athletic 68 when he died over the week-end at Monte Carlo, where he was holidaying with his wife. But he'll always live when men talk of football and the characters who adorned it. Sooner or later one will tell a tale of Big Charlie with his expression solemn and with his jersey down round his thighs as he sped up the field in aid of England, Arsenal, Sunderland or, back in the never-never days of 1909, Leyton. One with a head for figures may recall that the Most Feared Forward of his time scored 211 goals for Sunderland in 337 games between March 1911 and July 1925 before joining Arsenal in August of that year at the most sensational and intriguing transfer fee of all time. And perhaps some old sweat will remember how Charlie became a sergeant in the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards in the First World War, earned a Military Medal for saving his Lewis guns from a burning dump, and was later commissioned to the Sherwood Foresters. "AS a boy I saw Charlie play in the Victory International at Hampden Park after the First World War and heard the tremendous roar, such as only soccer idols receive, when the legendary Buchan took the field. And I remember how my fellow Scots, enhanced by Charlie's superb Soccer artistry, gave him an ovation such as is reserved for Hogmanay and the reception of such football wizards as Real Madrid. Charlie stood over 6ft., angular, even awkwardly built, but who will dare name his superior in ball control, as a dribbler, as a splitter of defences with lazy, deceptive runs that enslaved the fans of idolatry. Said Frank Barson recently: 'Charlie was so great you just had to clog him.' It was like tackling a ghost. "CHARLIE was a Londoner despite his Scots name, and when the late Sir Harry Norris, then chairman of Arsenal, decided to revive the waning fortune of that club in 1925 by building a team around one great name he chose 'Big Charlie.' Sunderland wanted £4,000—a lot of money in 1925. Arsenal demurred, then compromised with the most sensational transfer offer in the history of football. 'We'll give you £2,000 down and £100 per goal scored in season 1925-26,' they said, and Sunderland replied 'Done.' Honest, forthright, but cautious Buchan countered with 'What about my athletics business in Sunderland?' and to keep him sweet they allowed him £250 a year for loss of profits—all apart from his footballing contract. Well, 1925-26 was quite a season with the Arsenal fans yelling: 'Give us another hundred quids' worth, Charlie.' or 'Come on, Charlie, make it £200!' And in the end he scored 21, which gave Sunderland £100 more than their original demand for a transfer fee. "SPORTS writing claimed Charlie when he retired from football in 1928, and there displayed the same dedicated, uncompromising, forthright, but honest qualities that made him one of Soccer's Greats. Big Charlie never argued. He delivered judgments. He never asked opinion. He was an oracle. Few questioned his statements except beneath their breath. His air of authority and impeccable integrity made argument unthinkable. Just as on the field if Charlie was kicked, he never kicked back. But he would sweep up to the referee and report that all was not well. So, farewell Charlie, modest, dignified owner of seven England caps and two Cup Final medals, predecessor at Arsenal of those other great inside forwards David Jack and Alex James, a good journalist, a popular B.B.C. commentator, and a successful publisher after retirement. "Rest lightly stones, for a truly great sportsman is in your keeping." - By Robert Findlay The Sports Editor, Daily Express, Monday, 27 June 1960 "CHARLES BUCHAN DIES "CHARLES MURRAY BUCHAN, from 1923 to 1956 Football Correspondent of the News Chronicle, died while on holiday near Monte Carlo on Saturday night at the age of 68. He was that rare combination—the complete footballer and the perfect gentleman. In 1910 he signed as a professional with Leyton and became nationally known a year later when he was transferred to Sunderland £1,250, a record fee at that time. Sunderland folk flocked to see the tall, willowy inside-right, who was to stay on Wearside for 14 seasons, score over 200 goals and leave in a blaze of publicity for Arsenal in 1925. His transfer to Arsenal was a unique arrangement. Sunderland received £2,000 and £100 for every League goal he scored in his first season with his new club. In fact, he scored 19 goals, so he cost £3,900, although he was almost 34, and apparently nearing the end of his Soccer career. Yet he became Arsenal's strategic brain, and was their captain in the 1927 Cup Final, which Cardiff won by 1—0. His last match for Arsenal was at Goodison Park against Everton in May, 1928. Next day, he joined the staff of the News Chronicle and began to write with the authority—and the humility—of a man who had earned five England caps, and played eight times for the Football League. But he always reckoned that his most vivid memories concerned the season of 1912-13, when he helped Sunderland to win the League Championship, and played against Aston Villa in the Cup Final, Sunderland losing 1—0. During the First World War he won the Military Medal with the Grenadier Guards, and was later commissioned with the Sherwood Foresters. Mr. Bill Ditchburn, a former chairman of Sunderland, said last night: 'He was the greatest player I ever saw.' But the most telling point about Buchan, born at Plumstead on September 22, 1891, is the fact that in 19 years as a professional HE NEVER PLAYED IN A RESERVE SIDE." - News Chronicle, Monday, 27 June 1960
Funeral	Wednesday, 29 June 1960, when he was cremated in Marseille, although his ashes were returned and reside in the chapel of rest at Golders Green crematorium, Barnet, his ashes are in a niche in the hall, top floor on the North Wall, number 5793. - The Colonel, ReadyToGo
Memorial Service	Thursday 12.15pm, 14 July 1960 at St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London "Charlton manager Mr. Jimmy Trotter and secretary Mr. Jack Phillps attended the memorial service to the late Charles Buchan at St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street, on Thursday, last week." - Kentish Independent & Mail, Friday, 22 July 1960
Probate	"BUCHAN Charles Murray of 22 Millbrooke Court Keswick Road Putney London S.W. died 25 June 1960 at Beaulieu-sur-Mer France Probate London 1 September to Ellen Buchan widow. Effects £17818 11s. 11d." [2025 equivalent: £357,793]
"Chas. Buchan leaves £17,000 "Mr. Charles Murray Buchan, M.M., of No. 22, Millbrooke Court, Keswick Rd., Putney, the former Sunderland and Arsenal footballer, for many years a familiar broadcaster and sports writer, and director of Charles Buchan's Publications Ltd., who died on June 25, last, aged 68 years, left £17,818 11s. 11d. gross., £17,527 2s. 5d. net value (Duty paid £1,781). He left his property to his wife Mrs. Ellen Buchan, of the same address, to whom probate has been granted." - South Western Star, Friday, 9 September 1960
	His wife, Ellen 'of Flat 8, Adelphi Mansions, Adelphi Road, Paignton, Devon, who died on 12th July, 1976.'
Source	Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &
Biographies	A Lifetime in Football - Charlie Buchan (Phoenix House, London 1955)
	He of Football Monthly fame enjoyed a distinguished career with Sunderland and Arsenal from 1910 to 1928 before becoming a sportswriter and BBC radio broadcaster, noted for his 7.25 evening summaries of the Saturday's play. Few autobiographies speak with such authority about football prior to Word War One and into the twenties; this is a very informative work. - A Football Compendium, Peter J. Seddon (1999).
Playing Career
Club(s)	Started his football career training as a teacher at Woolwich Polytechnic FC (Kent Senior League) at left-back. He was moved forward after scoring five goals in one match. He also played with his local church side, Plumstead St. Nicholas FC as well as Plumstead FC and also Elder Tree FC. Woolwich Arsenal FC signed him on amateur forms in December 1908 and played in the reserves. During which, he also signed with Northfleet FC (Kent League) in November 1909. Buchan was offered the chance to sign for Bury FC, and then Fulham FC, at the end of the season, but both were turned down. Then in May 1910, Leyton Orient FC offered Buchan a healthy wage to sign him, and he duly signed. Sunderland AFC paid £1250 to take him there on 30 March 1911, only after Chelsea refused to part with £600 for his signature. During the War he played with the Guards Depot before guesting for Chelsea FC, Birmingham FC and Huddersfield Town AFC. The Arsenal FC caused a 'Football Sensation' when they re-signed Buchan on 3 July 1925 for a £2000 transfer fee+£100 per goal, for the 1925-26 season (Depending on reports - that was either nineteen goals, or 21). He announced his retirement in April 1928.
League honours 481 appearances, 258 goals	Sunderland AFC 1911-25 379 appearances, 209 goals debut: 1 April 1911 Tottenham Hotspur FC 1 Sunderland AFC 1. The Arsenal FC 1925-28 102 appearances, 49 goals debut: 29 August 1925 The Arsenal FC 0 Tottenham Hotspur FC 1. last: 5 May 1928 Everton FC 3 The Arsenal FC 3.
Club honours	Football League Division One third place 1910-11 (6ᵃ 1ᵍ), Champions 1912-13 (36ᵃ 27ᵍ), runners-up 1922-23 (41ᵃ 30ᵍ), 1925-26 (39ᵃ 19ᵍ); FA Cup runners-up 1912-13 (9ᵃ 3ᵍ), 1926-27 (7ᵃ 5ᵍ); FA Charity Shield winners 1924 1ᵍ (Professionals);
Individual honours	Football League (ten appearances);
Distinctions	Played cricket for Durham CC in 1920. Buchan co-founded the Football Writers Association in 1947.
Height/Weight	6' 1", 12st. 1lbs [1921].
Source	Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] & Charlie Buchan's A Lifetime in Football [1955].
England Career
Player number	One of seven who became the 361st players (365) to appear for England.
Position(s)	Inside-forward, centre-forward
First match	No. 114, 15 February 1913, Ireland 2 England 1, a British Championship match at Windsor Park, Donegall Avenue, Belfast, aged 21 years 146 days.
Last match 11 years 57 days	No. 140, 12 April 1924, England 1 Scotland 1, a British Championship match at the Empire Stadium, Wembley, London, aged 32 years 203 days.
Major tournaments	British Championship 1912-13, 1919-20, 1920-21, 1923-24;
Team honours	British Championship winners 1912-13;
Individual honours	England Trial (six appearances, 5ᵍ 1ᶜ November 1912-February 1923); The North (one appearance, 1ᵍ January 1913); England Wartime (one appearance, May 1916); England Victory (one appearance, October 1919); The Professionals (one appearance, 1ᵍ October 1924);
Goalscoring honours	England Joint Topscorer 1920-21 (1), 1921 (1);
Distinctions	After the game on 15 February 1913 against Ireland, Buchan got involved in a argument with a member of the FA Select Committee. As a result he was dropped from the team. Charlie Buchan was approached by the Scotland national team in 1912, but the rules in place meant he could only play for England, his country of birth. The 400th England player to die.
Beyond England
Buchan volunteered for the Grenadier Guards, and served in the trenches, and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery. He finished the war as a second lieutenant with the Sherwood Foresters. Buchan took up teaching at Cowan Terrace School, near Park Lane in Sunderland, but could not carry on due to his professional career. Went into journalism on 4 June 1928 as football and golf correspondent of the Daily News and, on that paper's amalgamation, the News Chronicle. He also did football commentary on BBC Radio. In 1951, became the editor of the newly launched Football Monthly. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.52.

The Numbers
parties	Apps	comp. apps	minutes		goals ave.min	comp. goals	captain
11+	6	4	540	4	135 min	2	twice
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.

FTS

FAv

AAv

Pts%

W/L

1.5

Venue Record

Venue	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	FTS	CS	FAv	AAv	Pts%	W/L
Home	2	0	1	1	2	3	-1	0	0	1.00	1.50	25.0	-1
Away	4	2	1	1	7	3	+4	1	2	1.75	0.75	62.5	+1

Competition Record

Competition	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	FTS	CS	FAv	AAv	Pts%	W/L
British Championship	4	0	2	2	3	5	-2	1	1	0.75	1.25	25.0	-2
Friendly	2	2	0	0	6	1	+5	0	1	3.00	0.50	100.0	+2

Opposition Record

Opposition	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	FTS	CS	FAv	AAv	Pts%	W/L
Wales	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1	1	1	0.50	1.00	25.0	-1
Scotland	1	0	1	0	1	1	=0	0	0	1.00	1.00	50.0	=0
Ireland	1	0	0	1	1	2	-1	0	0	1.00	2.00	0.0	-1
Belgium	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	0	1	2.00	0.00	100.0	+1
France	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3	0	0	4.00	1.00	100.0	+1

Captain Record

Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L

Away 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 1 1 2.00 0.50 75.0 +1

2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 1 1 2 0.5 75 +1

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition

Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L

BC 1911-12 0 0 0 0 0 0 =0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 =0

BC 1912-13 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 0 1.00 2.00 0.00 -1

BC 1919-20 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0 0 1.00 2.00 0.00 -1

BC 1920-21 1 0 1 0 0 0 =0 1 1 0.00 0.00 50.0 =0

BC 1923-24 1 0 1 0 1 1 =0 0 0 1.00 1.00 50.0 =0

BC All 4 0 2 2 3 5 -2 1 1 0.75 1.25 25.0 -2

All Competition

Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L

BC 4 0 2 2 3 5 -2 1 1 0.75 1.25 25.0 -2

4 0 2 2 3 5 -2 1 1 0.75 1.25 25 -2

Match History

Club: Sunderland A.F.C. - six full appearances (540 min) 4ᵍ 2ᶜ F.A. International Select Committee - six full appearances (540 min) 4ᵍ 2ᶜx

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

Age 20

113 23 March 1912 - Scotland 1 England 1, Hampden Park, Glasgow BC AD reserve

Age 21 trial

two appearances - The South vs. England, November 1912; The North vs. England, 20 January 1913;

1 114 15 February 1913 - Ireland 2 England 1
Windsor Park, Belfast BC AL 10 ir

one of seven who became the 361st player (365) to appear for England

one of two who became the seventh Sunderland FC player to represent England

the 64th player to score on his England debut

Age 24

Wartime
Inter'nal 13 May 1916 - England 4 Scotland 3
Goodison Park, Liverpool Fr HW ir

Age 28 trial

two appearances - The South vs. England, 9 February 1920; The North vs. England, 25 February 1920;

...7 years, 29 days since last England appearance

2 121 15 March 1920 - England 1 Wales 2
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury BC HL 7 ir

122 10 April 1920 - England 5 Scotland 4, Hillsborough, Sheffield BC HW withdrawn reserve

Age 29

123 23 October 1920 - England 2 Ireland 0, Roker Park, Sunderland BC HW reserve

trial

two appearances - The South vs. England, 7 February 1921; The North vs. Englandᶜ, 28 February 1921;

3 124 14 March 1921 - Wales 0 England 0
Ninian Park, Cardiff BC AD ᶜcf

the 38th player to captain England

4 126 21 May 1921 - Belgium 0 England 2
Stade du Daring Club de Bruxelles, Bruxelles Fr AW 33 cf

Age 31 trial

one appearance - The South vs. England, 12 February 1923;

5 134 10 May 1923 - France 1 England 4
Stade Pershing, Paris
tour AW 35 ᶜir

135 21 May 1923 - Sweden 2 England 4, Stockholms Olympiastadion, Stockholm AW reserve

136 24 May 1923 - Sweden 1 England 3, Stockholms Olympiastadion, Stockholm AW

Age 32

6 140 12 April 1924 - England 1 Scotland 1
Empire Stadium, Wembley BC HD cf

Age 33 trial

one appearance - The Professionals vs. The Amateurs, October 1924;