On transfer deadline day, 27 March 2008, he signed for Blackpool on loan until the end of the 2007–08 season;[3][4] however, a calf injury meant he did not make an immediate debut and he was an unused substitute in the Seasiders away match at Plymouth Argyle on 26 April.

[9] On 1 July 2008, it was confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur had accepted a bid for Martin from Blackpool and that the player was discussing personal terms.

The first-team opportunities at White Hart Lane are limited and I want to get some experience and play regularly in the first team, so it was a bit of a no-brainer for me.

"[12] Blackpool manager Simon Grayson added: "I think Joe looked at the situation and probably realised he wasn't going to be a first-team player there and the next best thing after that is Championship football.

"[12] His first appearance for Blackpool since he signed permanently came on 12 August 2008 when he played in the Seasiders' 2–0 defeat to Macclesfield Town in the League Cup first round at Moss Rose.

[15] However, a leg injury again curtailed his season and his next appearance was not to come for another month when he was a second-half substitute in a 3–2 league win over Derby County at Bloomfield Road.

On 30 June 2010, Martin was released by Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, he then spent several months on trial at Gillingham of League Two before being signed up.

He played for the club for over five years, being an integral part of the side that won the 2012–13 Football League Two championship and earning a place in the PFA League Two Team of the Year, but was ultimately released at the end of the 2014–15 season after being deemed surplus to requirements.

[21] He made his debut on the opening day of the season as Northampton suffered a 1–0 home defeat to Walsall.