John Staniforth was born in Manchester, England, March 1, 1954.  As a teenager John had high hopes of one day following his Uncle Ron into the professional ranks.  John trained and played on the junior teams of Oldham Athletics from the age of 12 to 20, then went on the play for Staleybridge Celtic.  John crossed the ocean and came to Georgia in 1977, where he began his working career with the Atlanta firm of Datagraphic, Inc.  A more fortunate event could not be imagined, as company President, and soccer visionary George Baker, persuaded John to create and manage a superior amateur soccer team, under the sponsorship of Datagraphic.  Thus, the Datagraphic Soccer Club was formed and began playing in the Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League in 1978 with John serving as player/manager.
 

In 1979 the team, helped by John’s tireless and intense management and leadership, represented Georgia and the Region III South in the final four of the National Amateur Cup Championship.  In the exciting final at Atlanta Stadium, Datagraphic defeated the San Francisco Glens to become the national champions.  John went on as player/manager for 17 years, from 1978 to 1994.  During these years, and with his organizing and management leadership, the Datagraphic Amateur Team not only won a national championship in 1979, but reached the National Finals 5 more times, in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, and 1987, and were runners up in the 1980 and 1987.  The team also reached the National Indoor Championship Finals in 1986.  As part of his vision with George Baker for a rounded Datagraphic Club, John first added an Under 19 Team in 1978.  That team reached the National McGuire Cup Finals in 2 of its first 3 playing years.  The Datagraphic Club also added and sponsored other younger youth teams for various periods over the years.  As another part of the club vision, John organized and added a Datagraphic Over 30 team in 1987.  They competed in the Atlanta District Amateur Soccer League, and in national cup competitions from 1987 until 2000.  In the 7 years John managed and played on the team they reached the National finals 4 times and were runner up in 1994, John’s last season as player/manager.  At his retirement after 17 years as an active player/manager in 1994, Datagraphic deservedly honored John by retiring his jersey, number 13.
 

Following the death of George Baker in 1993, John was appointed President of Datagraphic, Inc. and also served as President of the Datagraphic soccer Club until it disbanded in 2000 after becoming National Over 30 competition runner up again.  During these years, one of the outstanding sponsorship achievements in Georgia occurred when Datagraphic Inc., under its President George Baker, sponsored the development of a model soccer complex for its various teams.  The planning and realization of that facility to house both the adult and youth element of the Datagraphic club were in no small part strengthened by John’s efforts and abilities; one more example of dedicated and devoted efforts to advance soccer in Georgia.  To date, no other amateur team has surpassed the record and accomplishments of the Datagraphic Amateur Soccer team, again due in large part to John’s consistent professionalism and dedication.  Many of the players that the Datagraphic Club nurtured have gone on to be active and successful coaches and developers of talent in other organizations, following the example the club set with and through them.   John’s efforts provided the opportunity, enthusiasm, experience, encouragement, and leadership for many, many Georgia players to develop their individual talents and reach their personal and team goals.
 

We know that John’s family: Wife Rita and children David, Brittany, Mandy and Johnny are as proud of John’s accomplishments as we are.  It is with pleasure that the Georgia State Soccer Association inducts John Staniforth into their Hall of Fame.