Joe Pointon played for non-league football for Leek Wesleyans, Leek National, and Congleton Town before signing with Stoke He did not feature for the “Potters” however, and so crossed the Potteries divide to join Port Vale as an amateur in April 1923. He played six consecutive Second Division games during the 1923-24 season, filling in for the regular number 7 Jack Lowe. He played four games during the 1925-26 season, but was released upon its conclusion.
He moved on to Luton Town, Brighton & Hove Albion (1928-29 16 matches, 5 goals), Torquay United, Bristol Rovers and Walsall.to He was Torquay’s top scorer during the 1929-30 Third Division South season, with sixteen goals.