Joseph Young Cadden was born on April 13, 1920, in Glasgow, Scotland. He started his soccer career with Shawfield Juniors.

During World War II he served with the Royal Air Force in Canada. During the war he met and married a girl from Gary, Indiana. While in the R.A.F. he played several times against Liverpool FC star Billy Liddell.

The centre half had a short spell with St. Mirren after the war, but returned to America in 1947. On Sunday March 9, 1947, he sailed on the Queen Elizabeth from Glasgow to America to join the Chicago Maroons.

Chicago Maroons were members of the North American Soccer Football League.

On August 27, 1947 Joe joined Brooklyn Wanderers. The Wanderers kicked of their 1947-48 ASL season against Brookhattan on September 21 at Sterling Oval in the Bronx.

He was picked as the center halfback for the American Soccer League All-Star team against Liverpool on Sunday May 18, 1948. Liverpool manager George Kay was so impressed by Joe’s performance that he persuaded him to return to England together with the Liverpool team.

On June 12, 1948 he signed for Liverpool Football Club. He was mostly a reserve player with Liverpool. Joe made his debut for the Liverpool first team in a game against Fulham at Craven Cottage in September 1950. He made four league appearances for the Reds.

In February 1952 he joined Grimsby Town. He played in one league game for Grimsby.

He joined Accrrington Stanley in June 1953. Joe played in 17 league games for Stanley. He then played for New Brighton and Dumbarton.

The 12 stones and 6 feet centre-half joined Runcorn in December 1954.

Joe passed away on June 5, 1981, in Liverpool.