Joel Randall, son of Adrian Randall (Bournemouth, Aldershot, Burnley, York and Bury), joined Exeter’s academy as an under-11, became a trainee in 2016 and - after 45 first-team appearances - moved to Peterborough for a significant undisclosed fee in 2021. 

Joel, who grew up in North Devon, came into the Exeter City academy as an under-11 from the club’s Barnstaple development centre. After becoming a trainee/scholar in 2016 Joel made his first-team debut in November 2017 as a substitute in the EFL Trophy tie against Chelsea under-21s. He moved on loan to Taunton Town in January 2018 shortly before agreeing a professional contract with Exeter for the following season. 

Whilst on loan with Tiverton during the early part of 2018/19, where he played eleven games, Joel was able to feature in a further EFL Trophy match for City scoring against Bristol Rovers on 13 November 2018 before later heading to Bideford on loan. Then in 2019/20, as well as having spells at Weston-super-Mare and Weymouth, Joel was able to capitalise on City’s EFL Trophy run by playing five matches in the competition including the semi-final at Portsmouth. He also made his league debut as a substitute against Cambridge United on 11 January 2020. 

By the start of 2020/21 Joel was set-up to play for the first-team on a regular basis and, after scoring his first goal against Salford on 12 September 2020, went on to play 36 first-team games scoring 10 goals. Now, in a season played largely behind closed-doors because of COVID-19, Joel had become a hot property. As speculation mounted it was announced in August 2021 that Joel had signed for Peterborough for “an undisclosed fee”. Shedding some light on the matter Darragh MacAnthony, owner of Peterborough, tweeted to say that the fee was "seven figures". 

Playing in the Championship, Joel started one league game for Peterborough during the 2021/22 season whilst making a further ten appearances from the bench. However it was clear that it had not been plain sailing and, talking to the Peterborough Telegraph in July 2022, Joel spoke of injuries and loneliness during his first season at London Road:

"It was a whirlwind for me last season. I signed on a Monday and on the Saturday I came on as a substitute at Luton and started the next game against Derby. I felt I did okay and I was excited about the move, but things started to happen which meant you didn’t see a lot of me. Looking back I was struggling living on my own. I wasn’t playing football. I wasn’t doing what I came here to do and I let it get on top of me in my personal life. It was a very tough time. Outside of football my life became draining. Of course players see comments about them that are not nice, but we have to take them with a pinch of salt. For me I’d never suffered a downward trend in my career before last season so all the comments about me were positive. I still trust my ability though. I know what I am and I can only focus on myself and take my opportunity when it comes.” 

Joel remained at London Road in 2022/23 when he appeared in sixteen league and cup games, mainly as a substitute, before starting the next season in the team. As he finally established himself with the Posh, Joel was part of the team that won the EFL Trophy in April 2024.