John Stavropoulos was born on February 8, 1957 in Sarakini, Greece. He grew up in Willowdale, Ontario. John started his top-level soccer career with Homer Soccer Club in the National Soccer League.
Before the start of the 1976 National Soccer League season Homer S.C. became the Panhellenic Soccer Club. The youngster helped Panhellenic win the 1976 NSL Cup.
The 5′ 8″ and 160 lbs had a short spell with Toronto Blizzard in the 1979 North American Soccer League season and with Philadelphia Fever in the Major Indoor Soccer League in the 1980-81 season.
However, he stayed loyal to Panhellenic for many years in the National Soccer League. In the 1983 NSL season he helped the club win the regular season championship.