Date / Year of birth: 4th December 1963

Position: Goalkeeper

Season of first appearance: 1984/85

Season of last appearance: 1991/92

Also played for: Gillingham (0), Dover, Dover Athletic, Orient (0), Canterbury City, Hythe Town, Ashford Town, Tonbridge Angels and Farnborough Town

Popular 6' 1" tall athletic goalkeeper known for his huge clearances who was born in Herne Bay. After leaving school Joe joined Gillingham and made 25 appearances for the Gills' youth team during the 1980/81 season. During 1981/82 he made a further 17 appearances for the youth team and also played seven games for the reserves. At that time Joe was effectively understudy to Ron Hillyard but in February 1982 he was released by the Gills and joined Dover.

Whilst with Dover he missed only one game - an away match at Basingstoke on 11.9.82. Bizarrely future Thanet outfield player Ian Kuypers took over in goal for that game. Joe was Dover's 'Player of the Year' for 1982/83 and had trials at Crystal Palace during his time at Crabble. At the end of the 1983/84 season Joe was released by Dover and after a further trial at Palace he joined Thanet in June 1984. That was just after the local press in Dover had announced he'd joined Palace for a "four figure fee".

Joe made his debut for United in the opening match of the 1984/85 campaign, a 1-0 win over Dorchester at Hartsdown on 18.8.84. He went on to make 60 appearances during the season and turned in a string of superb displays, keeping 16 clean sheets. His performance in a 1-1 draw with Salisbury on 8.9.84 was described as "brilliant" by the Adscene newspaper and in October 1984 Joe's form led to him having a week's trial with 4th Division Crewe Alexandra. The Adscene said that he pulled off "two tremendous saves" in a 1-0 win over Poole on 10.11.84 and during the same month the Thanet Times said that Joe was "a pillar of consistency".

On 4.12.84 he saved a penalty in a 2-2 draw with Chatham and on 15.12.84 Joe had a sensational game as United drew 1-1 at Addlestone & Weybridge. The Adscene said that he was "continually in action" and that Joe made one save "Peter Shilton would have been proud of...it was that brilliant". He maintained his form throughout the season and only missed two matches, one of them being the second leg of the Eastern Floodlight Cup Final at home to Bishop's Stortford on 9.5.85. Joe had suffered a badly bruised jaw in the first leg at Bishop's Stortford three days earlier and Glen Porter replaced him for what was the final game of the campaign. Joe was a worthy winner of the supporters 'Player of the Year' award.

During the 1985/86 campaign Joe was ever-present, making 59 appearances (11 clean sheets) to go past 100 for Thanet and his performances won him acclaim from the local press once again. The Thanet Gazette said that Joe was "outstanding" in a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Welling on 3.9.85 and the Thanet Times said that he made several "splendid saves" in a 0-0 draw at Corinthian on 23.11.85, describing Joe as "United's saviour". Prior to that, on 9.11.85, he had a scare when driving to Thanet's match at Erith & Belvedere, Joe's windscreen shattered and he suffered cuts to his hands as he tried to protect his face from flying glass although he was able to take his place in the United line-up. Joe's best performance of the season came in a 1-1 draw at Tonbridge on 18.1.86 when he pulled off what the Thanet Times called "a series of smart saves". By then the local press were aptly describing his drop-kicks that often reached the opposing penalty area as "booming" and Joe played several games for Orient's reserve team during the campaign.

Joe played in Thanet's first five games of the 1986/87 season but then suffered a fractured finger in a freak accident during training. The break was so bad that he had to have an operation to have a pin inserted. Joe missed 19 matches because of the injury and when he returned to the Thanet team for a Southern League Cup tie at home to Folkestone on 2.12.86 it was his first appearance for over three months. The match finished 2-2 and Joe then enjoyed a good run of form until 'flu forced him to miss United's Christmas fixtures at Dover and Corinthian. From then on he was ever-present and on 10.1.87 Joe was outstanding in a 0-0 draw at Tonbridge. He pulled off numerous good saves and exhibited what the Thanet Times called "impeccable handling" in difficult conditions - there was a considerable amount of snow on the pitch. Joe's best performance of the season came in a 1-1 draw at home to Gravesend & Northfleet on 21.3.87, the Adscene said that he made "six telling saves" to keep Thanet in the game.

In April 1987 Joe and young full-back John Mayall were given contracts, making them the club's only contracted players. United's player-manager Norman Fusco explained "Joe and John are our most outstanding players and we expect league sides to show a great interest in them in the coming months." He added "the club and I felt it was in Thanet United's best interests to have them under contract. This way the club will at least get some financial return if they move on to another team."

Despite missing so much of the campaign Joe still managed to make 32 appearances, keeping 13 clean sheets, and he was chosen as both the supporters and players 'Player of the Year' for the season. The Isle of Thanet Gazette said "it would be no surprise if he were under the scrutiny of a Football League club".

In the summer of 1987 Joe had a trial with Brentford at the same time as Mayall but returned to United for the start of the 1987/88 campaign. He started the season as he meant to go on, making what the Adscene said were "two brilliant saves" in Thanet's second game - a 2-2 draw at Folkestone on 25.8.87. During a 3-0 win over Canterbury in an FA Cup tie at Hartsdown on 29.8.87 Joe was "commanding" and "made goalkeeping look easy" according to the Thanet Times. The paper also said he made "a magnificent reflex save" to stop a Micky Dix volley. From 26.9.87 to 6.10.87 inclusive Joe kept four consecutive clean sheets, part of a grand total of 22 for the season. The Thanet Times said that he showed "remarkable agility" during a 1-1 draw with Woking in an FA Cup tie at Hartsdown on 10.10.87. The paper's headline for a 0-0 draw at Marlow in an FA Trophy tie on 31.10.87 was "Radford the United hero". The match report said that Joe turned in an "outstanding performance" and "pulled off a string of fine saves." The flood of praise from the press continued and the Thanet Gazette described Joe as being "immaculate" during the replay with Marlow at Hartsdown on 3.11.87. He capped a fine display by diving full length to save a penalty as Thanet lost 1-0. The Adscene reported that Joe made "several excellent saves" in a 0-0 draw at Tonbridge on 7.11.87 and on 17.11.87 he missed his only game of the season - a Southern League Cup tie at Hastings.

After it had praised Joe's numerous "stirring saves" in a 1-1 draw at Salisbury on 13.12.87 the Thanet Times declared "he probably has no equal in the league for either bravery or agility as a shot-stopper" and the paper said that Joe "never made the semblance of a mistake with his handling" in a 0-0 draw with Gravesend on 1.1.88. Later in January 1988 the Gazette said "if there is a more consistent goalkeeper in the Beazer Homes League then I have yet to see him." Norman Fusco agreed, telling the paper "he is a young man who is always trying to improve his game and I am well aware of his value to the side." In February 1988 Fusco told the Thanet Times "I am truly staggered that no Football League club has come in with either a bid or an offer of a trial for him. Every team we have played this season has said afterwards that Radford is the best goalkeeper in the league." Fusco went on to say "he has improved tremendously in dealing with the cross ball which was his one possible weakness" and the paper agreed that it was "amazing" Joe hadn't been given a chance with a league club.

On 2.3.88 Joe made a rare error as United entertained Waterlooville in a Southern League match, spilling the ball in the dying minutes to allow a tap-in that gave the visitors a 2-1 win. The Gazette said "Radford's chilled hands dropped a half-hit drive as though it were a freshly-baked bun from a hot oven" but normal service was soon resumed as Joe made what the paper called "two incredible saves" in a 0-0 draw at Corinthian on 8.3.88.

In March 1988 Chelsea offered Joe a week's trial, prompting Norman Fusco to say "he fully deserves his chance because he has been a pillar of consistency this season and we all wish him well." Once again nothing came of the trial and Joe was soon back in the old routine, making what the Thanet Times described as "three outstanding saves" in a 0-0 draw with Canterbury at Hartsdown on 26.3.88. Joe finished the season having made 55 appearances to take his overall tally for the club past 200 and his superb performances won him the supporters 'Player of the Year' award for the third time. He also retained the players 'Player of the Year' award but had to share the honour with Norman Fusco.

Joe began the 1988/89 campaign well and the Thanet Times said that he was "again in outstanding form" during a 2-2 draw at Buckingham on 27.8.88. He saved a penalty and a few days later Canterbury offered United £3,000 for Joe's services. The Isle of Thanet Gazette called it an "astonishing" bid and it would have been a club record for City but the offer was turned down. Chairman Roy Ovenden told the paper "we value him higher than this anyway and feel that he could well make his mark with either a Third or 4th Division side." Norman Fusco agreed, saying "I believe he is worthy of higher grade football and if the right bid comes in from a Football League club he will go with our blessing if he wishes to leave Hartsdown".

Joe didn't let the transfer talk unsettle him and on 10.9.88 he performed superbly as United entertained Burnham, making numerous fine saves in a 0-0 draw. The best of them prevented Ian Kuypers from scoring an own goal and the Thanet Times said it was a "dramatic" stop. Joe was a fixture in United's side until October 1988 when a few days after playing in the infamous FA Trophy tie against Leatherhead on 22.10.88 he went into hospital for an operation to remove a piece of floating gristle from his knee. He missed five matches as a result but kept up his good form on his return to the side in November. On 26.11.88 Joe kept his first clean sheet for over two months in a 0-0 draw at Andover and the Gazette said "he must have cause to celebrate his performance, especially after one spectacular save in the first half". The Thanet Times said Joe "gave a good account of himself" in a 4-1 defeat at Trowbridge on 10.12.88 and again described him as being "a pillar of consistency". On 7.1.89 Joe had an eventful match as United beat Ruislip 3-0 at Hartsdown. The Thanet Times said he made an "exceptional save by any standards" to keep out a penalty early in the second half but Joe was then sent off after 65 minutes. He rushed out and collided with a Ruislip striker and was "rightly dispatched...for a reckless challenge" according to the paper. The Adscene said that Joe's dismissal was "completely out of character" and he suffered a knee injury in the challenge that would have forced him off anyway. Joe's last game before serving a three match ban was a Southern League fixture at Dunstable on 14.1.89 and his performance in a 1-1 draw prompted the Adscene to say "United should be grateful....he certainly saved them from defeat". The paper said Joe made "three brilliant saves" and the Thanet Times felt that he had been "in fine fettle".

Joe returned from his suspension for a Southern League game at Poole on 11.2.89 and it turned out to be a memorable day for him. In the very first minute one of his trademark huge drop-kicks bounced over the Poole keeper and went into the net. It was the first time a goalkeeper had scored from open play in the entire history of Margate or Thanet United although player-manager Garry Aldous tried to claim he'd got a touch on the clearance when he was interviewed on Radio Kent. United went on to win the game 2-1 and the Gazette said of Joe's goal "always noted for his strong kicking he excelled even himself".

A week later Joe was watched by Football League scouts as Thanet lost 5-2 at Salisbury and he played well despite the scoreline, making two good saves in the first ten minutes and preventing a much bigger defeat. On 28.2.89 Joe "made at least three stunning saves" according to the Gazette as Thanet drew 2-2 with Corinthian at Hartsdown and before the game he was presented with an enscribed tankard to celebrate setting a new appearance record for United. He actually made the all-important 238th appearance of his Thanet career a week later in a 1-1 draw at Burnham on 4.3.89 and that took Joe past Wayne Godden's tally of 237 games for the club. He went on to finish the season in fine style and the Thanet Times said that Joe made "two exceptional saves" in a 3-1 defeat at home to Canterbury on 27.3.89 and praised his "fine display" during a 0-0 draw at Baldock on 8.4.89. The report for the match said that his "handling of numerous crosses" was "impeccable". Joe went on to win the supporter's 'Player of the Year' award again and he made a total of 44 appearances during the campaign.

The summer of 1989 saw Thanet United become Margate once again and when the 1989/90 squad was assembled Joe was one of only two 'survivors' from the previous season. However it could have been a different story as in July 1989 big-spending Hythe had made a bid of £5,000 for him which was turned down. At the time Joe was the only player under contract at Hartsdown Park.

He started the new campaign in typically agile form and the Gazette reported that Joe made some "smart saves" as Margate drew 2-2 at Erith & Belvedere on 22.8.89. During September 1989 the paper said that Joe was in "dominant form" and at that time he played in a trial match for Maidstone against West Ham. As usual further praise from the local press was soon forthcoming. The Thanet Times hailed "two stunning late saves" that Joe made in a 1-1 draw with Ashford in an FA Trophy tie at Hartsdown on 21.10.89 and said that he produced "four tough saves" in the first half alone during a 0-0 draw at Bashley on 2.12.89. On 6.12.89 Joe made an excellent penalty save in a 2-2 home draw with Dover in the Southern League Cup but he then came in for some mild criticism from the Adscene after a 6-1 defeat at Dartford in the same competition on 12.12.89. The paper described his performance as "unusually indifferent".

By the start of 1990 Joe was back on his game and the Gazette said that he "displayed a safe pair of hands at all times" In a 0-0 draw at Burnham on 13.2.90. Shortly afterwards a hand injury sustained at work a few days before hampered Joe's performance as Margate were thumped 5-0 at Baldock on 24.2.90. He played with the hand heavily strapped and was uncharacteristically at fault for two of the goals. Normal service was soon resumed and the Thanet Times praised Joe's "heroics" in a 0-0 draw with Fareham at Hartsdown on 3.3.90. The paper said that he "pulled off at least three stunning saves when all seemed lost".

On 14.3.90 Joe was given what the Thanet Times called "just reward for years of loyal service" when a Charlton X1 visited Hartsdown Park for his testimonial match. Margate's new manager Colin Powell said that Joe was "without a doubt the best goalkeeper in the league and an outstanding clubman". On 17.3.90 Joe nearly scored again in a 3-1 home win over Hastings as a typically huge drop kick took one bounce and just cleared the crossbar. The Thanet Extra reported that he made "a brilliant double save" as the match drew to a close. Joe ended the season as Margate's only ever-present player, making 59 appearances which took him past the 300 mark for the club. He was presented with a silver salver to mark the milestone. He kept 18 clean sheets and won the supporter's 'Player of the Year' award for a remarkable fifth time in six seasons. Joe even managed to fit in two games for the reserves during the campaign.

During the build-up to the 1990/91 season Joe was awarded an unprecedented second testimonial match, just over four months after his first, when his old club Dover visited Hartsdown on 31.7.90. Colin Powell praised him again in the match programme saying "there isn't another keeper I would want to swap him for...he certainly has the ability to play at the highest level of football but has loyally stayed with the club over the years. Joe has been a great servant to this club".

Despite being troubled by a niggling ankle injury Joe started 1990/91 in good form and made a host of saves in a 1-0 defeat at Baldock on 27.10.90. The Thanet Times said that he "excelled" in a 1-0 home win over Bury on 17.11.90 and the Adscene agreed, saying that he was "the difference between the two sides...who most certainly won the points...with several important saves". On 1.1.91 Joe made a spectacular late save to deny Hastings a winner in a 1-1 draw at Hartsdown but on 19.1.91 he made what the Thanet Times called "a dreadful error" in a 2-1 defeat at Ashford. Joe missed an attempted punch and an Ashford player headed into the empty net for the winning goal.

In February 1991 Joe suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out for a few weeks and Margate signed Kevin Hudson to cover his absence. Hudson impressed new Margate boss Tommy Taylor and when Joe recovered in March 1991 he was loaned to Canterbury for a month. He made his debut for City in a Sunday match against Yate at Kingsmead on 17.3.91.

After returning to Hartsdown in April 1991 Joe played twice for the reserves and on 27.4.91 he made his first start in the senior side since 2.2.91 when he took over from Hudson for a 3-2 home win over Sudbury. Joe then played in two of Margate's last three matches and finished the season having made 38 appearances.

He started the 1991/92 campaign as Margate's first-choice keeper and on 17.8.91 Joe saved a penalty in a 2-1 home defeat against Burnham. It was the opening day of the season. He then featured in the next seven games and made another excellent penalty save after only four minutes of a 1-1 draw at Sittingbourne on 3.9.91. Things turned sour for Joe when he was dropped after a 2-1 defeat at Tooting & Mitcham in an FA Cup tie on 14.9.91. Kevin Hudson then took over as Tommy Taylor's first-choice and when Joe returned to the first team for a 1-1 draw with Weymouth at Hartsdown on 5.10.91 it was only because Hudson was suspended. Nobody realised it at the time but the Weymouth match turned out to the last of Joe's distinguished Thanet United / Margate career.

Later in October he was loaned to Canterbury once again and Joe played for City as they lost 1-0 at Margate on 26.12.91. His last appearance at Hartsdown Park whilst still technically a Margate player appropriately featured what the Thanet Times described as "long clearances (which) often had the home (Margate) defence at sixes and sevens". Joe's loan at Canterbury continued until the start of April 1992 when he joined Hythe. Margate, by then managed by Lee Smelt, swapped him for utility player Andy Allon and Joe had made 28 appearances for Canterbury by then, the last of them in a 7-1 defeat at Andover. Margate's programme editor Paul Bates fittingly wrote that Joe would "go down as one of Margate's best ever keepers" and on 18.4.92 Joe played as Hythe beat Margate 2-1 at Reachfields.

When Hythe went out of business at the end of the 1991/92 season Joe rejoined Canterbury and also became the club's 'Commercial Executive'. In August 1992 he made a guest appearance for Dover in Lennie Lee's testimonial against Crystal Palace. He was ever-present for Canterbury during the 1992/93 campaign and became's City's captain for the 1993/94 season, saving a Terry Cordice penalty in a 2-0 defeat at Margate on 27.12.93, before joining Ashford in the summer of 1994.

Joe had only played 18 games for Ashford when he suffered a very bad back injury in November 1994. He wasn't expected to ever play again and Ashford released him but Joe bravely battled back to fitness and joined Tonbridge in time for the start of the 1996/97 season.

He got back to something like his best with the Angels but on 13.4.98 Joe was sent off in a 1-0 defeat at Margate after pulling down Martin Buglione. He left Tonbridge towards the end of 1998 and returned to Ashford.

He played regularly during the 1998/99 campaign and in February 1999 Ashford allowed Joe to join Farnborough on a short term loan. He made one Conference appearance - the first of his long career at the age of 35 - for them in game at Dover before going back to Ashford.

Joe rejoined Tonbridge in the summer of 1999 and on 2.11.99 he scored an own goal as the Angels lost 3-2 at Margate in a Kent Senior Cup tie. Joe miscued a punch and the ball went behind him and into the net. He went on to take his total appearances for Tonbridge past the 250 mark before leaving the club at the end of the 2002/03 season and retiring from senior football aged 39.

During the 2004/05 campaign he played for Birchington USC in the Thanet Premier Sunday League and Joe's team-mates included Lennie Lee (who was also the club's manager) and former Thanet player Paul Jefcoate. Joe retired altogether at the end of that season.

In the summer of 2014 he became Ramsgate's goalkeeping coach.

Joe worked as builder during his time with Thanet / Margate and later said that centre-back Dave Carr was the best player he'd played alongside during his lengthy stay at Hartsdown Park.

Joe's wife Donna played for the Herne Bay roller hockey team that won the National League six years running in the 1980's / 1990's and she also represented England at the sport.