Celtic Buckley began his professional career in the youth ranks of
Celtic, and won the
Glasgow Cup in 1982. In the final against
Rangers at
Ibrox in front of 15,000 spectators Buckley created a goal for John Sludden, as Celtic's mixture of first team and reserves won 2–1. Buckley made his first and, it would transpire, only, first-team appearance against
Arbroath in a 4–1
Scottish League Cup win at
Celtic Park in September 1982. After a period of understudying
Davie Provan at Celtic, Buckley went on loan to
Partick Thistle in March 1983.
Partick Thistle Buckley's speed and crossing ability quickly made him a crowd favourite at
Firhill, as
Peter Cormack's team competed for promotion to the
Scottish Premier Division. He scored on his
Scottish Football League debut in April 1983.
Leeds United Two years later, Bremner brought Buckley with him to
Second Division Leeds United for £35,000. Whilst at
Elland Road, Buckley was sent on two short
loan spells; at
First Division club
Leicester City, then back at Doncaster Rovers. He was unable to produce his best form at Leeds and—after one goal in ten League appearances—was sold to
Rotherham United in November 1987 for £30,000.
Rotherham United At Millmoor Buckley scored 13 goals in 105 League games, of which 20 were substitute appearances. He also scored twice in 21 appearances in Cup competitions. Capable of playing on either wing, Buckley was highly regarded by Rotherham supporters and was part of the club's
Fourth Division championship winning side in 1989.
Partick Thistle again Rejoining Partick Thistle in October of the 1990–91 season, Buckley played 26 games and scored five goals as the team displayed attractive football but failed to win promotion. The
unfavourable economic climate meant Buckley could not sell his house in northern England, so he was granted a transfer to
Scunthorpe United in August 1991. The fee of £40,000 represented a £5,000 loss on Partick's initial outlay.
Scunthorpe United Buckley hit six goals in 28 League appearances as Scunthorpe made it to
Wembley Stadium in the
1991–92 Fourth Division play–off final against
Blackpool. He featured in Scunthorpe's defeat by
penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw. After a total of eight League goals in 43 games, Scunthorpe accepted a £20,000 transfer offer for Buckley from Rotherham United.
Rotherham United again In only his fourth game in his second spell at Rotherham, versus
Plymouth Argyle on 13 March 1993, Buckley fractured his skull in a clash of heads with
Gary Poole. He required emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from the brain{{cite news and was in a coma on
life support for four days afterwards.{{cite news He made comeback attempts with
Buxton and
Hatfield Main, but was knocked unconscious while playing for the latter in a
Northern Counties East Football League match at
Maltby Miners Welfare in October 1995. He then decided to retire from playing for good. ==Coaching career==