Manchester United legend Martin Buchan calls time on his 17-year PFA career…
PFA Executive Martin Buchan is retiring from union duties after 17 years of service. The former Manchester United man became a familiar face and respected figure with members past and present. His diverse role included providing direct support for players seeking advice on contract disputes and disciplinary issues.
"The PFA has been nothing but good for the game,” said Martin. “My abiding memory is that I joined an organisation I knew a little about and learned how much it did for the game. It has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience."
GOOD FOR THE GAME
The Aberdeen-born 68-year-old has seen significant change in football since he joined the PFA as a player in 1972. "The biggest change has been the vast influx of foreign players. The Scots, Welsh and Irish were the foreigners back then. It's been a good thing for the game."
He remembers Gianfranco Zola as an outstanding import as well as Eric Cantona, whose influence on Manchester United's Class of ’92 was so profound. Paolo Di Canio earned Martin's respect when the Italian offered to go on TV and help out in any way he could to support PFA action.
"It's been great to witness how things have changed and, for the most part, improved over the years. If there’s one negative it would be that you sometimes see too many cheap bookings in games," said Martin. "I was only booked five times in 18 years and I was never sent off. It's partly the way I was brought up."
And if he did step out of line as a player, the phone would ring. "Even when I went to Manchester, if I was booked my mum was on the phone asking what I'd been up to as if I'd brought shame on the family!" he fondly remembered.
A Captain’s Career
Martin Buchan was a true legend at Old Trafford. He joined Manchester United in 1972 for a then club record fee of £125,000 from Aberdeen. A stylish centre back with outstanding leadership qualities, he captained the side to victory over Liverpool in the 1977 FA Cup final (pictured) and amassed 456 appearances during an 11-year stay. Martin won 34 caps for Scotland, representing his national side in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals. After a brief stint in management with Burnley, he moved into sports promotions with Puma before joining the PFA in 2000.
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