Marshall was born in Ripley, Derbyshire. He made his debut for Derbyshire in the 1887 season against Surrey and his only other first-class game was also against Surrey that season. After Derbyshire lost first-class status, Marshall continued to play for the club with single games in the 1888 season and 1890 season. 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.[2]
His football career started with Staveley. 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. Derby County defeated the home team 6–3. 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.[3][1]