Born in 1889 in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, John William Stoker emigrated to Cessnock with his father George Stoker. John played for Cessnock and more prominently Weston, as well as representing NSW in Victoria in 1913, before joining the war effort on 15 December 1915.
While serving John was promoted to Sergeant before returning to Australia on 8 September 1919, soon thereafter playing for an AIF team in an exhibition game. Commentators felt as if war service had caused him to “grow up” and he became a well regarded player in Newcastle. John again played representive football, for South Maitland against Queensland in 1924.
John William Stoker died on 5 June 1941.