Liam Buchanan
Personal information
Date of birth (1985-03-27) 27 March 1985 (age 38)
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Berwick Rangers
Youth career
2002 Heart of Midlothian
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2007 Cowdenbeath 133 (54)
2007–2011 Partick Thistle 84 (30)
2011–2012 Dunfermline Athletic 44 (11)
2012 Sligo Rovers 10 (2)
2012–2013 Airdrie United 6 (0)
2013 Ayr United 14 (6)
2013–2014 East Fife 35 (11)
2014–2015 Alloa Athletic 33 (14)
2015–2017 Livingston 71 (33)
2017–2019 Raith Rovers 67 (22)
2019–2021 Alloa Athletic 42 (4)
2021–2022 Cowdenbeath 34 (6)
2022– Berwick Rangers 45 (33)
2023–2024 → Bonnyrigg Rose (loan) 10 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:05, 24 April 2023 (UTC)

Liam Buchanan (born 27 March 1985) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Lowland Football League club Berwick Rangers.

A product of the Hearts youth system, Buchanan made his breakthrough at Cowdenbeath. Having spent five years at the Fife club, he joined Scottish Football League First Division side Partick Thistle and subsequently Dunfermline Athletic. After spells in the lower divisions of Scottish football, Buchanan then joined Scottish League One side East Fife. After a successful time in Methil, he moved to Scottish Championship side Alloa Athletic in July 2014 before signing with Livingston a year later. He then joined Raith Rovers in 2017 and two years later returned for a second spell with Alloa.

Career

Born in Edinburgh, Buchanan made his breakthrough in football at Cowdenbeath, progressing through their youth system to play in the first team. Buchanan was prolific for the Central Park club, finishing top goalscorer in seasons 2005–06 and 2006–07.

Buchanan then signed for Partick Thistle at the start of the 2007–08 season. Buchanan was the Firhill club's top scorer that season, despite suffering a long-term injury early in 2008 and being out until October that same year, when he played in his return match against Airdrie United. Buchanan predominantly played in the number 9 shirt and was thought to be the next big prospect at the club. Buchanan notched 14 goals in that first season, from 27 starts and three substitute appearances.

In January 2011, Buchanan signed for Dunfermline Athletic.[2] Buchanan helped the club win the 2010–11 Scottish First Division that gained promotion to the Scottish Premier League. The club finished bottom of the table in the 2011–12 Scottish Premier League season and were automatically relegated into the Scottish Football League First Division.

In August 2012, it was confirmed that Buchanan had rejected a new contract with Dunfermline and signed for Sligo Rovers.[3][4] On 7 December 2012, Buchanan signed for Airdrie United.[5] Buchanan left Airdrie on 10 January 2013 and then signed for Ayr United until the end of the 2012–13 season.[6]

On 26 July 2013, Buchanan signed for East Fife.[7] After one season there, he signed for Alloa.[8] Buchanan then spent two seasons with Livingston, where the club were relegated and subsequently promoted the next season to the Scottish Championship. Buchanan, however, remained in Scottish League One, signing for recently relegated club Raith Rovers on 9 June 2017.[9]

On 7 June 2019, Buchanan signed for Alloa Athletic for a second time.[10]

On 22 June 2022, Buchanan signed for Berwick Rangers of the Lowland Football League.[11] In his first season outside the SPFL, he was the Lowland League's top goalscorer with 22 goals. [12]

After a strong start to the 2023-24 season, including a hat-trick against Edinburgh University, Buchanan earned a move back to the SPFL at the age of 38.[13] Bonnyrigg Rose announced they had signed the forward on loan, with a view to a permanent transfer in the January window.[14] Buchanan managed only one league goal in 10 outings and returned to Berwick in January, scoring twice in a 4-0 win against Broomhill on his return.[15][16]

Personal life

Buchanan's father, George, was jailed for five years in 2011 after being convicted of running a heroin-dealing operation in Edinburgh.[17]

Career statistics

As of match played 24 April 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Scottish Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Cowdenbeath 2002–03[18][19][20] Scottish Second Division 12 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 14 2
2003–04[21][22][23][24][25][26] Scottish Third Division 25 8 3 1 1 0 1[a] 0 30 9
2004–05[27][28] 29 7 1 1 1 0 2[a] 0 33 8
2005–06[29] 31 17 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 33 17
2006–07[30] Scottish Second Division 36 20 3 2 2 1 2[a] 0 43 23
Total 133 54 10 4 4 1 6 0 153 59
Partick Thistle 2007–08[31][32] Scottish First Division 22 11 4 3 3 0 2[a] 0 31 14
2008–09[33] 19 6 2 1 0 0 1[a] 0 22 7
2009–10[34][35] 26 10 1 0 2 2 2[a] 2 31 14
2010–11[36][35] 17 3 3 1 2 0 4[a] 1 26 5
Total 84 30 10 5 7 0 9 3 110 38
Dunfermline Athletic 2010–11[36] Scottish First Division 17 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 5
2011–12[37] Scottish Premier League 27 5 2 0 2 1 0 0 31 6
Total 44 10 2 0 2 1 0 0 48 11
Sligo Rovers 2012[35] League of Ireland Premier Division 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 2
Airdrie United 2012–13[35] Scottish First Division 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Ayr United 2012–13[38] Scottish Second Division 14 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 6
East Fife 2013–14[39] Scottish League One 35 11 1 0 1 2 5[b] 1 42 14
Alloa Athletic 2014–15[40] Scottish Championship 33 14 3 2 2 0 9[c] 1 47 17
Livingston 2015–16[41] Scottish Championship 35 11 2 0 3 1 5[d] 2 45 14
2016–17[42] Scottish League One 36 22 2 0 3 1 4[a] 4 45 27
Total 71 33 4 0 6 2 9 6 90 41
Raith Rovers 2017–18[43] Scottish League One 33 10 1 0 4 3 3[e] 1 41 14
2018–19[44] 34 12 3 1 1 0 4[f] 0 42 13
Total 67 22 4 1 5 3 7 1 83 27
Alloa Athletic 2019–20[45] Scottish Championship 23 1 2 0 4 3 2[a] 0 31 4
2020–21[46] Scottish Championship 19 3 1 0 6 3 — 26 6
Total 42 4 3 0 10 6 2 0 57 10
Career total 539 186 37 12 37 17 47 12 660 227
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  2. ^ One appearance and a goal in the Scottish Challenge Cup; four appearances in the Scottish League One play-offs
  3. ^ Five appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup; four appearances and a goal in the Scottish Championship play-offs
  4. ^ Three appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup; two appearances and two goals in the Scottish Championship play-offs
  5. ^ Two appearances and one goal in the Scottish Challenge Cup; one appearance in the Scottish Championship play-offs
  6. ^ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup; three appearances in the Scottish Championship play-offs

Honours

Club

Dunfermline Athletic
Sligo Rovers
Livingston

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Liam Buchanan". Alloa Athletic F.C. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Dunfermline sign Liam Buchanan from Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  3. ^ "Buchanan signs for Sligo Rovers". Sligo Rovers F.C. 14 August 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  4. ^ "Champions League chance lures Buchanan to Ireland". The Herald. Glasgow. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Airdrie Utd v Falkirk preview: Buchanan poised for Diamonds bow". Sport.stv.tv. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  6. ^ "Ayr United FC – Daily Record". Ayrshirepost.net. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  7. ^ "New Signings for the Fife". Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  8. ^ "Buchanan joins Alloa". Scottish Professional Football League. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  9. ^ "Triple Signing Coup for Smith". Raith Rovers FC. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  10. ^ "ALLOA BRING IN BUCHANAN". Scottish Professional Football League. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  11. ^ "Buchanan is Black and Gold". Berwick Rangers FC. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  12. ^ "Season over for Berwick Rangers after cup knockout". Southern Reporter. 3 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Berwick Rangers claim third win in a row thanks to hat-trick by Liam Buchanan against Edinburgh University". Northumberland Gazette. 23 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Signing news". Bonnyrigg Rose FC. 29 September 2023.
  15. ^ "Player News". Bonnyrigg Rose FC. 28 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Striker Liam Buchanan scores at double within hours of return to Berwick Rangers". Southern Reporter. 30 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Drugs baron George 'Dode' Buchanan jailed for five years for massive heroin-dealing operation". Daily Record. 24 May 2011.
  18. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  19. ^ "Stenhousemuir 1–1 Cowdenbeath". ESPN. 22 March 2003. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  20. ^ "Cowdenbeath 1–0 Brechin City". ESPN. 5 April 2003. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  21. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  22. ^ "Stranraer 1–0 Cowdenbeath". ESPN. 24 April 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  23. ^ "Cowdenbeath 0–0 Montrose". ESPN. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  24. ^ "Cowdenbeath 5–1 Queen's Park". ESPN. 7 February 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  25. ^ "Cowdenbeath F.C. 5–2 Edinburgh City F.C." Scottish Football Association. 22 November 2003. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  26. ^ "East Stirlingshire F.C. 0–5 Cowdenbeath F.C." Scottish Football Association. 20 December 2003. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  27. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  28. ^ "East Stirlingshire 2–1 Cowdenbeath". ESPN. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  29. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  30. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  31. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  32. ^ "Ayr Utd 2–1 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 18 September 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  33. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  34. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  35. ^ a b c d e f Liam Buchanan at Soccerway
  36. ^ a b "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  37. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  38. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  39. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  40. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  41. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  42. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  43. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  44. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  45. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  46. ^ "Games played by Liam Buchanan in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  47. ^ "Livingston 2–1 Alloa Athletic". Livingston F.C. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
  48. ^ "Buchanan named top young player". BBC Sport. 19 January 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  49. ^ "Division Two team of year". BBC Sport. 23 April 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  50. ^ "SPFL Awards". spfl.co.uk. Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  51. ^ "PFA SCOTLAND TEAMS OF THE YEAR". Scottish Professional Football League. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  52. ^ "PFA SCOTLAND AWARD WINNERS". Scottish Professional Football League. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2019.

External links

2006–07 PFA Scotland Second Division Team of the Year
2016–17 PFA Scotland Scottish League One Team of the Year
Cowdenbeath F.C. – Hall of Fame inductees
Bonnyrigg Rose F.C. – current squad
Categories