Meet John Barker - 'The Merch Guy'
08/09/2026
Meet John Barker, an integral part of the Sandringham Football Club community.
For John, Sandringham is more than just a football team; it’s the place he found belonging and support.
In January 2015, John suffered a major stroke. He was forced to re-learn how to walk, talk, read and write. He lost vision in his right eye and had to re-learn how to do daily tasks like using a knife and fork, movements most people never have to think about.
Two years later, medical professionals began discussing the goals John wanted to achieve. He was told that he wouldn’t be able to continue working as a volunteer firefighter, something he thoroughly enjoyed. So, when John was asked what he wanted to have back, all he said was, “I want my football back”.
As a lifelong St Kilda supporter, John mentioned the Sandringham Football Club as a way to slowly reconnect with the world around him and the sport he loved. He began coming to the games with the support of his wife and carer, Sonia, sitting quietly in the back corner of the grandstand, rebuilding his confidence.
Sonia shared John’s love of football and the Sandringham Football Club, and after he brought her along to VFL and VFLW games, Sonia also fell in love with the club. Sandringham became a place where they both felt like part of a community through some of the toughest times of their life.
“I fell in love with the club straight away”, he said.
It was there that he met Josh Vella (Football Operations Manager at the time), who came over and introduced himself, welcoming him to the club. Josh helped John purchase his first membership and some merch that he could wear to the games. Josh introduced him to people like Steve (the Chaplain at the time) and Rohan & Lil (who volunteer at the gates on match days). Those early interactions became the foundation of new relationships and a connection to a community.
As the years went on, John met more people who made Sandringham feel like a second home. He became acquainted with people like Courtney Banks, Peter, Bruce Bowles, and Anthony Vella. He received team sheets before every game, met new people, and felt a priceless, resounding joy.
“Sandringham is not just a club; Sandringham is family to me”, he said.
John continues to buy memberships each year, attending home and away games and forming important friendships with people such as President Nick Johnstone and other club volunteers.
By 2020, John was all in on Sandringham; he was loving coming to the footy more and more. That year had plenty of highs and lows, but the Sandringham Football Club was always somewhere he could go to feel at home again.
Sonia, his wife and carer, got sick that year. As Sonia underwent treatment for her cancer, they both felt an unwavering feeling of support that extended through everyone at the club and within the Sandringham community. The club Chaplain at the time was Steve Enticott and John recalls him regularly speaking to Sonia, offering her hope and reassurance to put her mind at ease during this difficult time.
Sonia continued to encourage John to go to the games, knowing how much the club meant to them both and helping him remain connected to the club’s community.
Medical appointments for both John and Sonia became the weekly norm whilst still attending the Zebras games when he could. Steve continued to ask John about Sonia and would sometimes talk to her over the phone, continuing to give her guidance and hope. This support continued until Sonia passed away and continues now.
From the connections he had made through his many years supporting the club, he suggested that the club set up a merchandise stand at the South Gate as there was never anyone there at home games. So, from the 2021 season, John began to sell the club’s merchandise at home games. In John's own words, “I have never looked back”.
With encouragement and guidance from the club, he learned how to use an EFTPOS machine - something that felt so daunting at the start but soon became second nature. To this day, John has volunteered with the club for over five years.
It was when John began working at the merchandise stand that his partner Simone started coming along to more and more Sandringham games. Together they worked at the merchandise stand, whilst also helping John continue to support the players he sponsored.
In March of 2026, John and Simone were married by Steve, another special milestone of John’s the his Sandringham FC family could be part of.
Meeting people at games and helping them receive a piece of merchandise, which helps them proudly represent the club that gave him a second home for him is the most rewarding part of what he does.
“Merchandise is very important to me; it helps to keep the club going”, he said.
When asked about what he hopes people remember him for, he said, “the merch guy” - he embraces and loves the opportunity merchandise has given him and the independence it helped him regain after 2015.
John received the Gary Gilchrist Award (President’s Award) in 2023 - a testament to his drive, commitment and hard work over not just that year, but countless others.
John also began sponsoring players from the start of his Sandringham journey. This year he has sponsored Jet Peckett from the VFL team and Ali Hynes and Tayla Kearns from the VFLW team. He also contributes to club fundraising and does everything he can to support the club he loves so dearly.
“It means a lot to me. It keeps them going and keeps me coming back each week,” he said.
John’s connection to Sandringham isn’t just from his love of the St Kilda Football Club, but it in fact runs through his family. The late Sandringham legend Trevor Barker was John’s cousin on his dad’s side.
For John, one of the big reasons he continues to support the club is to keep Trevor’s “spirit alive”. Trevor first brought him to Sandringham when he was younger and helped him with his own football journey.
When asked to describe the club in three words, John didn’t hesitate when saying: “Incredible, outstanding and amazing”. His gratitude extends to the club as a whole but, importantly, to the staff members, volunteers, players and Board members who have supported him along his journey.
“I love the club. I love the amazing people I work with, and all the players I have met over the years. They really have been an inspiration to me”, he said when reflecting on his connection to the club and its community.
John’s story doesn’t just show the strength of being part of a community, but it reflects what makes Sandringham special - a club built on heart, connection, community and spirit. Through John’s highs and lows, the club has continued to be a space where he can thrive and continue to keep his spirit alive. The club brings people together and shows everyone who walks through the gates, whether for a long or short period of time, what it means to be a part of a community and what it feels like to truly belong.
“This football club saved me and has given me so many memories and different people I have met with the Sandringham Football Club,” says John.
Written by Sophie Pittard - Sandringham FC Media
