Joe is a young midfielder who was given his first team bow in the final home game of the 2005/06 season against Carlisle United.

He went on to make a handful of starts and further substitute appearances during the following campaign, as well as earning national recognition when he was named League Two Apprentice of the Year at the Football League's annual awards' ceremony.

Joe scored his first goal for Dale with a fine header against Darlington in the first game of 2008. However, this was eclipsed in January 2009 when he hit a 17-minute first half hat-trick in the 4-2 win at Aldershot.

His performances impressed Keith Hill so much that Joe was rewarded with a new 12-month contract in the summer of 2009. This was then extended by two further years in June 2010, shortly after Joe had helped his home town team to promotion.