John Green's goalkeeping career started as a very promising youth player, representing his County at youth and open levels before he was 17 (one of the few to do so).

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John went on to play for Arsenal in their F.A Youth Cup Team and also had time playing at Blackpool and Bury F.C. He was due to be signed by Everton for a record transfer fee when disaster struck with a severe and irreparable injury leaving him with only two fingers on his left hand.

 

John moved to Australia to take up a coaching position, before being persuaded to once again put on the gloves and undertake the hard work required to fill the role of goalkeeper. He played for 1st Division Enfield, Adelaide Juventus (now Adelaide United) as first choice keeper, and finally Polonia in the SA 1st division (S.A .Premier League).

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As Delia Scardelis a Football fan from South Australia said,

 

''For all my years of watching local soccer the BEST goalkeeper I have ever seen, still to this day, is Enfield Victoria's John Green. Many will never have heard of him & I can hear some screaming 'John who' but let me begin by telling you this guy had two & a half fingers missing on his hand yet his goalkeeping was breathtaking & unbeatable on his day. "

 

After finally hanging up the gloves John was appointed Senior Coach of Beograd Soccer Club, guiding the just promoted team to 2nd place in the S.A. 1st Div.  He was then appointed South Australian State Coach.

John moved to Sydney to take up the position of Assistant to Willie Wallace at N.S.L. Club Apia Leichhardt. After his 4 years with Willie at Apia, John continued their association by working as Goalkeeper coach for 16 years at the annual Willie Wallace Soccer Academy at the University of New England.

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John coached at the January 2013 goalkeeper camp, the first of PGT's Annual camps, taking 2 days off for an operation (melanoma), before returning to the camp for the final day. John's dedication to goalkeeping, and enthusiasm for sport in general are seen in his playing history, his perseverance under adversity and his involvement in other sports such as golf (caddying for Wayne Grady at one of his major championship wins).

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John's philosophy in life was based on hard work, respect for yourself and others, trust and honesty, and enjoying life to the full, while helping others where you can.