MY STORY
ABOUT PETER
Born in Brisbane, Australia 30.09.1954
Married – 2 Children
NSW State League Player from 1973 (19) to 1976 (22)
Australian Socceroo from 1976 (22) – 1983 (29)
Played for Tottenham Hotspur – 1980
Player of the Year -1979
Runner Up of the Rothmans Medal – 1981
With the family moving from Brisbane to Newcastle in the early 1960s, Peter’s love for soccer began in Newcastle at the age of 9. Peter played his junior football for Kotara South and Adamstown Rosebuds, before playing senior football, initially for Adamstown Rosebuds and then for a number of Sydney-based clubs as a midfielder.
It was the very beginning of a stunning soccer career that would see him play at the highest level in Australian soccer, and take him around the world, including a stint playing for Tottenham Hotspur in 1980.
Peter played in and later Captained the NSW State Representative team in the mid-1970s. He then had seasons with two National Soccer League Clubs – APIA Leichhardt from 1978 – 1980, and with St.George from 1981 to 1983.
He made his international debut for Australia in 1976 against Bologna (Italy), and then Australia vs Hong Kong in 1977. He went on to represent Australia a total of 15 times, before his retirement in 1983. This included international games in Taiwan, Fiji, Kuwait, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran, Italy, and Greece during 1976, 1977 and 1978 alone.
Peter made the difficult yet courageous decision at the young age of 18 to move away from home and move to Sydney in order to further his soccer career and place himself in front of state and national selectors. After several years of hard work on and off the field, he enjoyed great success at a state level, and then went off to play at the highest level of Club Soccer in Australia, and then at THE highest level as a midfielder for the Australian Socceroos.
THE FOOTBALL CAREER OF PETER STONE
Stones appearance on Captain Socceroo 1982
Peter Stone in later years
After retiring from professional football in 1983, Peter had a lot more time on his hands to be able to focus on his young family. It is no surprise that he became heavily involved in the sporting and academic pursuits of his two children, David and Kate. Needless to say, David Stone also found a love for the game of soccer and was strongly supported by his dad as both an enthusiastic parent, mentor, and team coach.
Whilst still a primary school teacher, at the age of 30 Peter went back to University. After 4 grueling years of balancing family and a career, Peter completed a degree in marketing. He went on to become a senior executive at NRMA Group Ltd, where he held several senior roles, including in various countries in Asia. Like their father, both of Peter’s children have gone on to achieve great success in the corporate world.
In retirement, Peter moved from Sydney back to his hometown of Newcastle. He quickly became involved in the local soccer scene again and went back to where it all began at Adamstown Rosebuds to help out where he could, including offering his vast knowledge to young up-and-coming players. That has been one of Peter’s lifelong traits, and that is to ‘give back’ and help others wherever he can.
As an acknowledgment of his brilliant soccer career, the club has had an annual award for some time called The Peter Stone Scholarship Award. Now that he lived locally once again, it was Peter’s great privilege to present the award each year.
Sadly on August 21, 2022, Peter Stone passed away after a brave battle with a rare brain condition. The outpouring of support and beautiful messages from so many people around the world has been a testament to the amazing man that he was. He never stopped giving, and his family has learned so much about this humble man, and about the support and encouragement that he provided for so many people over the years.
