Having previously played for Leyton, Woodford, Chelsmford and Essex, Percy Buckenham joined Upton Park in 1897 and played at right-back for the Upton Park team which won the 1900 Olympic soccer tournament but he as much better known as a cricketer. After attending Alleyn’s School he became a prominent sportsman in the Leyton area, playing for Leyton and Essex at football and in 1899 making his début for the Essex country cricket team. Tall and sparely built, Buckenham was one of the deadliest fast bowlers of his time and went on the MCC tour of South Africa in 1909-10, where he played in four of the five Test matches. His career as a country cricketer ended in 1914 when he became the professional to Forfarshire, and after serving the war with the Royal Garrison Artillery he became the coach at Repton School. (Extra information was supplied by Peter Hamersley, Upton Park FC Historian)
Great Britain