An outside left or outside right, he played in the Football League for Newcastle United, Everton, Oldham Athletic and Blackpool.
[2] He began his career in his native Scotland with newly formed Rutherglen Glencairn in the late 19th century.
[2] He had a short spell back in Scotland with Rangers, making five Scottish Football League appearances[4] (he was one of several players of the Catholic faith to feature for the club up to that time, after which an unwritten rule was introduced at the club which persisted for several decades)[5] then returned to Everton in 1919, for whom he made a further sixteen League appearances.
[2][1] Donnachie made three appearances for the Scotland national team, all during his spell with Oldham Athletic.
[6] Donnachie's son, also called Joe, was also a footballer, playing for Everton, Bolton Wanderers and Chester City.