Biography
Utility defender Marc Joseph was one of Peter Taylor’s first signings when he joined the Tigers in November 2002. He slotted into the first team immediately and it became gradually apparent that Joseph was signed to replace stalwart Great Escape hero Justin Whittle. Joseph certainly had superior distributional skills to Justin, but was not an aggressive defender of the same stripe – plus he wasn’t… well, he wasn’t Justin. While Joseph generally performed well for City, he did struggle to overcome that basic identity flaw with some supporters.
Joseph struck up a fine partnership with Damien Delaney during 2003/04, although that came after some egregious bloopers during a couple of early-season fixtures, notably top of the table clash at Huddersfield. But as the season drew to a close and promotion beckoned Marc was an important figure in the first team, defending with composure and contributing his only City goal in a vital 1-1 draw at Macclesfield. The season culminated in a promotion clinching win faraway in Yeovil, and Marc Joseph was central to that achievement.
In 2004/05 Taylor’s City, elevated to the third tier, were again rebuilding and the signing of Leon Cort meant Joseph’s opportunities came in the right back role rather than at centre back. He performed well enough without regularly setting the world alight, and in the latter stages of the season he vied with Robbie Stockdale for the shirt. With the Tigers sweeping to a second promotion, Joseph was quickly seen to be a weak link in the Championship first eleven and was used sparingly, having a loan spell at Bristol City before leaving the club in January 2006.
Marc Ellis Joseph was born in Leicester but began his profesisonal career at Cambridge United. He took a while to find his feet in the first team at the Abbey Stadium but by 21 he was a first team regular with an occasional goal in him, a role he maintained for four seasons. In 2001 he moved up the A14 to Peterborough United and for a season and a half he barely missed a game, prior to his switch to Peter Taylor’s Hull City.
In January 2006 Joseph joined Blackpool but he struggled for form and made only 25 appearances in eighteen months. A transfer to Rotherham in 2007 restored him to first team action, and in three seasons he made 85 appearances in all competitions. Now in his 30s, Joseph dropped into the non-league scene in 2010 and finished playing in 2014. He remained involved in the game after retirement from playing, working for the Blackpool Football Community Trust in a schools liaison role.
In 2008 Joseph was called up to the Antigua & Barbuda international after his Antiguan father heard an appeal on a local radio station. He played two matches for The Benna Boys in June 2008 in a two-legged World Cup qualifier against Cuba. He returned to the international fold in 2011 and 2012, winning a further 10 caps in 2014 World Cup qualifiers and scoring a goal against Curacao.
Details
Nationality: Antigua & Barbuda
Date/Place of Birth: 10 November 1976, Leicester
Hull City First Game: 30 November 2002, Wrexham A (League Division 3), 26 years, 20 days old
Hull City Final Game: 1 November 2005, Preston North End A (Championship), 28 years, 356 days old
Clubs
Cambridge United (1994-2001), Cambridge City (1995, loan), Coventry City (1996, loan), Peterborough United (2001-2002), Hull City (2002-2006), Bristol City (2005-2006, loan), Blackpool (2006, loan), Blackpool (2006-2007), Rotherham United (2007-2010), Altrincham (2010-2011), Kendal Town (2011-2013), Witton Albion (2013), Northwich Victoria (2013-2014)
Hull City Record
Career: 95 apps, 1 goals
Marc Joseph| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002/03 | 22 (1) | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2003/04 | 32 (0) | 1 | 1 (0) | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 (0) | 0 |
| 2004/05 | 25 (4) | 0 | 2 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | - | - | - | - |
| 2005/06 | 2 (3) | 0 | - | - | 1 (0) | 0 | - | - | - | - |