Joe started playing bridge as a teenager in the eighties and soon moved out of his parents' house to a flat above the Wolverhampton Bridge Club.
At the time he was described as a promising player.
He represented Great Britain juniors with Ian Popplestone and then went on to play a handful of Camrose matches with David Burn and Glyn Liggins.
For some years he worked at many London clubs including Green Street and the London School of Bridge. It is entirely coincidental that both these clubs subsequently closed.
In 2000 he and Glyn were part of the team that surprised critics to finish fourth in the Olympiad held in Maastricht. He took a break from Bridge to raise a family and concentrate on a new career in IT but renewed his partnership with Glyn a few years ago winning the Spring Foursomes shortly after.
With Heather Dhondy he was part of a team that won the mixed trials and was all set to play in the Europeans in Madeira but Covid put an end to that idea.
He still plays with Heather but his most regular partner is his wife, Gillian, an England Women international, representing Devon in county competitions.
The promise is yet to materialise.
Last updated: November 2024
Major International Appearances
European Championships: 2001
World Olympiad: 2000
European Junior Championships: 1986
Camrose Trophy Selections: 1995 1997 1999 2000 2001 and 2003
Spring Foursomes winner:2012
Brighton Four Stars Teams Winner: 2004
Tollemache Cup winner: 1995 1996 and 1998