Christie: Malcolm Neil (Malcolm)

2008-2009 (Leeds Player Details)(Player Details)

Striker

Born: Stamford, Lincolnshire: 11-04-1979.

Debut v Northampton Town (a): 17-11-2008

6’0” 11st 10lb (2008)

Christie started his football career with the Market Deeping club, Deeping Rangers, and then had a season with Nuneaton Borough before signing for Derby County on 25th October 1998 for £50,000. As part of the deal Nuneaton received more money for Christie including getting twenty per cent of the fee if he was sold on. He established himself as a first-team regular with the Rams after being a regular goalscorer for the Reserves, and the pacy Christie made his first team debut, as a substitute, at Sheffield Wednesday on 30th January 1999. He had to be content with a few games from the bench but, when finally given the chance, he scored twice on his full debut on 15th January 2000 in a 4-1 away win at Middlesbrough. He scored five times in twenty-two games that season, winning the Sammy Crooks' Young Player of the Year for the 1999-2000 season for his feats. He followed this with twelve goals in forty-two appearances for the Rams in 2000-01. He became a regular with the England Under-Twenty-One squad at the end of the 1999-2000 season and travelled to the European Under-Twenty-One Championships in Slovakia. He went on to make eleven appearances for the England Under-Twenty-One team, after making his debut against Spain on 27th February 2001. After Derby's relegation at the end of the 2001-02 season he was linked with a move to several top flight clubs, but stayed at Pride Park until January 2003, when he moved to Middlesbrough together with Chris Riggott. His transfer fee was £1,500,000. While at Pride Park he scored thirty League goals in ninety starts and twenty-six games from the bench as well as five goals in the Cup competitions in thirteen games, two of which were as a substitute. He scored four goals in eleven games for Boro in the remainder of 2002-03, and hoped to continue that good form the following season. However it was not to be, as after ten games which included helping Boro in their Carling Cup run, Christie broke his leg in November 2002, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign. That same bad luck continued into the 2004-05 season. After returning tentatively to the team in September 2004, he was once more sidelined with another injury to his foot. He made only three appearances, but did score once. He again struggled in both 2005-06 and 2006-07. On 25th November 2006, after returning from his injuries, Boro Manager Gareth Southgate gave Christie a start against Aston Villa at Villa Park. Christie scored on his return in the forty-third minute in a match which finished 1-1. Middlesbrough subsequently released Christie when his contract expired in June 2007. While at the Riverside Christie scored seven goals in forty-three games of which sixteen were from the bench and scored twice in two starts and three games from the bench in Cup competitions. Christie started a trial period with Hull City on 11th September 2007. However, he was not offered a contract at the end of his two-month trial. He also rejected a contract offer from Nigel Clough, Manager of Burton Albion in mid-season. In January 2008 he began a trial with Leeds United but picked up an injury which scuppered any deal. In September 2008 Christie began using the training facilities at Leeds United's Thorpe Arch in a bid to gain full fitness with the blessing of Leeds United's Manager Gary McAllister, however, at the time the offer was considered to be a courtesy and not intended to be a trial. On 13th October 2008 however, Christie was cleared to play in a Reserves fixture for Leeds United against Scunthorpe United. On Monday 10th November 2008, Gary McAllister began to open up contract talks with the striker after regaining fitness. Christie made his Leeds debut on 17th November 2008 against Northampton Town in the First Round of the F.A. Cup. He scored his first goal for Leeds United on the 28th December 2008, in the 3-1 victory at Stockport County. Gary McAllister was replaced by Simon Grayson as Manager of Leeds and on 29th January 2009, he was he was told by the new Manager that he was not part of his plans