[1] He was the second son of Frederick Green (1814–76) of the Blackwall shipbuilding family and his wife Elizabeth (née Fletcher) of Stepney (1813–70).

[2] Joseph Green was educated at Rugby[1] and upon leaving school to join his father's firm returned to London

It was written that "for several years [he] was one of the most brilliant of half-backs, being an excellent field, and when once under way as speedy a runner as was ever seen with a ball under his arm, his stride being magnificent.

Of his cricketing skills it was written in the Rugby magazine: "Came out as a bowler at the beginning of the year, but lost precision the latter part, but with great care he may recover it; is a good hitter, but takes things a trifle too cool when at the wicket; fields remarkably well".

[2] This was in the same year that his captain in the first international rugby match, Frederick Stokes, married Ellen's sister Isabella.