Joe Blythe played for Blyth Spartans and Jarrow before joining Everton in January 1899. Over the next couple of years he played 35 games. In 1902 he joined West Ham. He played his first game against Reading on 6th September. He was a regular in the West Ham team and only missed one game that season. The following year, after 23 league appearances, he joined Millwall. Blythe went on to win a London Challenge Cup winners' medal in 1909. In total, he played 341 games for Millwall. Blythe finished his playing career at Watford (1911-12). Before the outbreak of the First World War Blythe was manager of Blyth Spartans.