John Acraman (1829 – 22 June 1907)[1][2] was a prominent businessman in the colony of South Australia, and he has a place in the history of Australian football in that state.

[3] John Acraman's early days were spent at Bath, Somerset and Clifton, Bristol, and he was educated in both places.

Urged by his brother to join him, John sailed from Bristol aboard Appleton consigned to Acraman, Cooke, & Co., arriving at the Semaphore in April 1848.

He carried letters of introduction to Mr. Justice Cooper, John Morphett and Samuel Davenport, (all of whom were subsequently knighted) given him by Charles Sturt, who had returned to England in 1847 by that same Appleton.

[4][3] John walked to Port Adelaide, where he met Captain Scott from whom he received news of the recent death of his brother.

The firm was able to capitalize on the increased demand, and made huge profits despite the shortage of staff, most able-bodied men having joined the rush.

[5] The couple spent twelve months in the United Kingdom, and their second son, Harold Arthur, was born in Portrush, County Antrim.

The company had diverse interests, from coastal and River Murray shipping (their steamers were the Culgoa, Kennedy, Sturt and Leichardt) and insurance to pastoral management, having runs in the Gawler Ranges and the west of the colony.

He was a member of the Marine Board In the 1860s, he and George Main took up Yardea and Moonaree stations in the Gawler Ranges, and Gum Flat on the west coast.

He had a significant role in the introduction of Australian football into South Australia: he, William Fullarton and Robert Cussen, met with Henry Harrison and Tom Wills, imported the first five (round) balls, and when the original Adelaide Football Club was founded, erected the goalposts and captained one of its two sides (J.