Paul Buckle has previously been the interim head coach of San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League, the manager of Torquay United, Bristol Rovers, Luton Town, Cheltenham Town and Sacramento Republic.
34 Facts About Paul Buckle
1.
2.
An apprentice at Brentford, Buckle turned professional in 1989, was loaned to Wycombe Wanderers and then joined Torquay United, before moving to Exeter City.
3.
In 1996 Paul Buckle returned to Wycombe on non-contract terms, then moved to Colchester United.
4.
Paul Buckle returned to Exeter on a free transfer in 1999, signing a two-year contract.
5.
Paul Buckle then moved into non-League football with Aldershot Town and Weymouth, before returning to Exeter as player-coach in 2005, first under manager Alex Inglethorpe then his successor Paul Tisdale.
6.
Paul Buckle continued to play and later became the club's assistant manager.
7.
In 2007 Paul Buckle was appointed manager of Conference Premier side Torquay United, helping return them to the Football League at the second attempt.
8.
In 2012 Paul Buckle became the new manager of Luton Town and led the club to the play-off final later ensured his team became the first from non-League to defeat a top flight side in the FA Cup for 24 years when Luton beat Norwich City.
9.
Paul Buckle married sports broadcaster Rebecca Lowe in 2013 and later moved to the US where he was appointed as technical director at Met Oval in New York City.
10.
Paul Buckle returned to the Football League to take the manager's job at Cheltenham Town in League Two from 2014 to 2015.
11.
Paul Buckle then signed as head coach of the USL soccer club Sacramento Republic, where he remained until 2018.
12.
Paul Buckle began his career as an apprentice at Brentford, turning professional in July 1989.
13.
Paul Buckle played 57 league games for Brentford, scoring once.
14.
Paul Buckle played three Conference games on loan at Wycombe Wanderers before leaving on a free transfer to be signed by Don O'Riordan, the Torquay United manager, in February 1994.
15.
However, with Exeter suffering serious financial problems and almost going out of business, Paul Buckle left in 1996 as, with the club in administration, they could not afford his wages.
16.
Paul Buckle failed to make the Cobblers first team and on 18 October 1996, he returned to Wycombe Wanderers on non-contract terms, before moving to Colchester United on 28 November.
17.
Paul Buckle helped Colchester win promotion from Division Three via the play-off final at Wembley against former club Torquay.
18.
Paul Buckle sustained a serious ankle injury in the opening game of the new season and, although he made a full recovery and regained a first team place, he was one of many players transfer-listed by Exeter manager Noel Blake in May 2000.
19.
Paul Buckle then joined Football Conference side Aldershot Town in 2002, before dropping down a further division to play for Weymouth in 2003, in addition to being employed as a youth-team coach at Exeter.
20.
Paul Buckle was made caretaker manager at Weymouth after the club sacked Steve Claridge, obtaining a win and three draws in his four games in temporary charge.
21.
Paul Buckle left the club on 16 December 2004 to return in a non-paid playing role at Exeter, now themselves in non-League football.
22.
Paul Buckle made four appearances before joining Tiverton Town for a short time, playing in 12 games.
23.
Paul Buckle continued to play regularly during this spell, making 70 appearances and eventually became assistant manager.
24.
In September 2009, Paul Buckle signed a two-year contract extension following speculation that he was to be offered the vacant managerial position at another of his former clubs, Colchester United.
25.
The next season proved more successful, with Torquay under Paul Buckle spending much of the season in or just outside the play-off places.
26.
Paul Buckle's first act as Bristol Rovers manager was to successfully persuade Torquay assistant manager Shaun North, goalkeeper Scott Bevan and striker Chris Zebroski to join him.
27.
However, things quickly worsened, with the club winning only two further league games before January and Paul Buckle publicly falling out with Bristol Rovers' fan favourite Stuart Campbell, who he released from his contract in December 2011 after a dressing room bust up that involved Phil Kite.
28.
On 6 April 2012,95 days after leaving Bristol Rovers, it was announced that Paul Buckle had been appointed the new manager of Luton Town on an initial two-year contract until June 2014.
29.
Paul Buckle was appointed to oversee all soccer-related activities at the club, which is one of the newest affiliates to the new MLS franchise club NYCFC.
30.
On 26 November 2014, it was announced that Paul Buckle had become Cheltenham Town manager and will be on a twelve-month rolling contract at the club.
31.
Paul Buckle left the club on 13 February 2015 after only 79 days in charge.
32.
In September 2015, Paul Buckle was named technical director of the club.
33.
Paul Buckle was appointed as USL Championship side Hartford Athletic's technical adviser in May 2019.
34.
Paul Buckle was announced as the interim head coach of San Diego Wave FC following the departure of head coach Casey Stoney on 24 June 2024.