Will Buckley (footballer)
A pacy English winger whose direct runs and crucial goals fired Brighton into the Premier League for the first time.
Born 1989 (age 37)·English footballer·Birthday: November 21·Millennials
Biography
Will Buckley's football story is defined by one electrifying season that changed the trajectory of a club. A graduate of the Rochdale academy, the winger made his name with his blistering pace and an eye for goal at Watford. But it was his move to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2011 that cemented his place in Seagulls folklore. Under Gus Poyet, Buckley became the talisman of a thrilling side, his speed on the right wing terrorizing Championship defenses. He scored vital goals in a promotion-chasing campaign, none more so than a stunning late winner against Nottingham Forest that sent the Amex Stadium into delirium and effectively sealed Brighton's historic first promotion to the Premier League in 2012. Injuries later hampered his top-flight impact, but for Brighton fans, he remains the embodiment of a transformative, unforgettable era.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Will was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Will Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Will's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored the decisive goal against Nottingham Forest in April 2012 that secured Brighton & Hove Albion's first-ever promotion to the Premier League.
- Made over 100 appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion across all competitions.
- Began his professional career at Rochdale, making his debut at age 17 and scoring 11 goals in his first full season.
Did You Know?
He made his Premier League debut for Sunderland against his former club, Brighton, in 2014.
Buckley also played for clubs including Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday on loan.
He retired from professional football in 2022 at the age of 32.
“That season, everything I hit seemed to fly into the net.”
