Then with Everton, Joe represented the Football Association on a tour of Canada in 1931 having began his career with Workington before a short spell with Preston North End. Not featuring in the first-team at Deepdale, he returned to Workington ahead of a switch to Wallsend.

He then returned to the Football League with Everton in 1929 where he played 29 league matches in a three-year spell as the club won both the Second Division and First championships. Joe subsequently played for Brentford in 1933/34, but was restricted to just one league outing before signing for Exeter City in the summer of 1934. 

Joe made his Grecians debut against Newport County on the opening day of the season but only played five times in his first season. Not making a single first-team appearance in 1935/36, he left St James’ Park to become player-manager at Nuneaton Town.

He died in 1973.