Alan Peter Buckley was born on 20 April 1951 and is an English former professional footballer and football manager who now works as a sports co-commentator for BBC Humberside.
16 Facts About Alan Buckley
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Alan Buckley moved into management and has been in charge of Walsall, Kettering Town, West Bromwich Albion, Lincoln City and Rochdale.
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Alan Buckley gained renown for his three stints as manager of Grimsby Town between 1988 and 2008, where his achievements have made him the club's most successful manager.
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Alan Buckley began his career with Nottingham Forest, but was transferred to Walsall in 1973 having never managed to win a regular place in the first team.
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Alan Buckley became a prolific striker at Fellows Park, before he was transferred briefly to Birmingham City in October 1978.
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Alan Buckley returned to Walsall as their record signing in June 1979.
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Alan Buckley gained a favourable reputation during his time in the Black Country, scoring against Manchester United as a player during an FA Cup upset in January 1975, and leading his Walsall side as a manager to victories against the likes of Arsenal, and a draw at Anfield during a League Cup run which took them to the semi-finals, just '90 Minutes From Europe'.
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Alan Buckley was sacked in August 1986, when Terry Ramsden bought the club, installing his own managerial team within 90 minutes of the takeover deal being completed.
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Alan Buckley remained at Blundell Park until the autumn of 1994 when he joined Grimsby's Division One rivals West Bromwich Albion.
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Alan Buckley's spell at the Hawthorns lasted two-and-a-half years before he was sacked for failing to get Albion anywhere near a promotion challenge.
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Alan Buckley left the Imps in April 2002, with the club stating that financial reasons were behind his departure.
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Alan Buckley then took charge of Rochdale in June 2003, but left by mutual consent in December of the same year after failing to revive the club's fortunes.
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On 9 November 2006 Alan Buckley was appointed manager of Grimsby for a third time.
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Only 14 managers have reached 1,000 matches in charge of a Football League team by 1998 and Alan Buckley is one of them.
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On 14 June 2012 Alan Buckley returned to Grimsby for a fourth time by joining the coaching staff as the new U17's team manager.
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Alan Buckley has continued to work in this role alongside his current management duties of the club's U17 side.