Marshall was a right-handed batsman and played four innings in two first-class matches with a top score of 31 and an average of 12.50.
By 1887 Derby County had signed Marshall as a first-team goalkeeper.
Joseph Marshall made his League debut on 8 September 1888, playing as a goalkeeper, at Pike's Lane the then home of Bolton Wanderers.
Joseph Marshall was Derby County' oldest player from his League debut on 8 September 1888, until 29 September 1888 when he was surpassed, in age, by Levi Wright.
As a goalkeeper (16 appearances) he played in a Derby County defence that achieved one clean–sheet and restricted the opposition to one–League–goal–in–a–match on three separate occasions.