Joyce was born in Oldham, Lancashire, the son of Walter Joyce, the former Burnley, Blackburn Rovers and Oldham Athletic player, and began his career as a trainee with Bolton Wanderers in 1981.
Joyce, who hails from Oldham, Lancashire, is the son of Walter Joyce, a former footballer for Burnley, Blackburn Rovers, and Oldham Athletic. He started his professional career at Bolton Wanderers in 1981.