Liverpudlian John Hodge was living in Cornwall and playing for Falmouth when he joined Exeter City in 1991 aged twenty-two. Making sixty-five appearances for the Grecians he moved on to play for Swansea City, Walsall, Gillingham and Northampton Town in a Football League career of over 350 games.

Originally on schoolboy forms with Everton, John moved to Cornwall as a teenager and had been playing for Newquay whilst attempting to break into the professional game. Having attended a number of trials he briefly appeared for Falmouth before Exeter City, under new manager Alan Ball, granted him an opportunity in September 1991. Making an almost immediate debut against Hartlepool United on 14 September 1991, John scored just once in 23 appearances in his first season but was a revelation during 1992/93 as he finished as top-scorer with nine goals from 42 league games.

Accepting an offer from Swansea City in July 1993, Exeter negotiated a £20,000 fee plus 25% of any future transfer fee. John, grabbing his opportunity again, netted ten goals from 112 league appearances in South Wales before moving to Walsall in September 1996 where he played in 76 league games and scored 12 goals. Switching to Gillingham in July 1998, John made a preponderance of substitute appearances (8 starts plus 41 from the bench) ahead of a £25,000 transfer to Northampton Town in March 2000 where he was to finish his professional career after 362 league games.

After playing for Kidderminster Harriers, John moved back to Cornwall where he opened a football school and often worked in conjunction with Exeter City in the development of young players.