John Christie (footballer born 1929)
Encyclopedia
John Alexander Christie (born 26 September 1929) is a retired football goalkeeper
who played for Southampton F.C.
for most of the 1950s.
, he played as an amateur with Auchenblae and then Inverness Thistle
, before he left Inverness Thistle in May 1949 to join Ayr United
.
He came to the notice of Southampton's manager Sid Cann
whilst doing his National Service
at Farnborough
and in January 1951 he signed him for Southampton.
He made his debut for the "Saints" at Swansea Town on 3 February 1951 replacing first choice keeper Hugh Kelly
. In 1950–51
Southampton had problems with the goalkeeping position and in all used four different custodians (the others were Eddie Thomas
and Len Stansbridge
). Described by Holley & Chalk as "agile and brave" he spent most of his time at The Dell jostling for the No. 1 shirt with Fred Kiernan
until 1956, when Christie established himself as the first choice 'keeper. In 1956–57 he played in all but the last two games of the season as Saints had the best defence in the Third Division South, but were unable to secure promotion, finishing in fourth place in the table.
He started the following season as first choice 'keeper before losing his place to Brian Stevens after a 4-0 defeat at Port Vale
on 16 September. Stevens retained the No. 1 shirt for ten games before Christie regained it, keeping it for the rest of the season. He continued into the following season until after a run of 50 league and cup games a knee injury forced him to give way to 19 year-old Tony Godfrey, who had come up through the ranks from the youth team. Although Christie regained the shirt in March for a further seven games, he made his final appearance for the Saints on 11 April 1959, away to Tranmere Rovers
. After making 217 appearances for Southampton in just over 8 years, he moved to Walsall
in June 1959.
At Walsall, he won a Football League Fourth Division
championship medal in 1960 and the following season he was part of the team that gained a successive promotion to the Second Division.
In August 1962, he left Walsall and then had spells at Burton Albion and Rugby Town
before retiring.
After retirement from football in 1964, he was a sales representative for Columbus Dixon industrial cleaners for 27 years, and then site supervisor at Henry Beaufort School
in Winchester
. He now lives in Chandler's Ford
in Hampshire.
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
who played for Southampton F.C.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
for most of the 1950s.
Playing career
Born in FraserburghFraserburgh
Fraserburgh is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland with a population recorded in the 2001 Census at 12,454 and estimated at 12,630 in 2006. It lies at the extreme northeast corner of Aberdeenshire, around north of Aberdeen, and north of Peterhead...
, he played as an amateur with Auchenblae and then Inverness Thistle
Inverness Thistle F.C.
Inverness Thistle Football Club were a football club playing in the city of Inverness in northern Scotland.They were members of the Highland Football League, winning the championship five times, including its inaugural season: 1893–94. They wore black and red stripes and played their home...
, before he left Inverness Thistle in May 1949 to join Ayr United
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
.
He came to the notice of Southampton's manager Sid Cann
Sid Cann
Sydney Thomas Cann was an English professional football defender and football manager. He was capped twice by England at Schools level.-Playing career:...
whilst doing his National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
at Farnborough
Farnborough Airfield
Farnborough Airport or TAG London Farnborough Airport is an airport situated in Farnborough, Rushmoor, Hampshire, England...
and in January 1951 he signed him for Southampton.
He made his debut for the "Saints" at Swansea Town on 3 February 1951 replacing first choice keeper Hugh Kelly
Hugh Kelly (goalkeeper)
Hugh Redmond Kelly was an Irish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for various clubs in Northern Ireland and England, making four international appearances for Ireland.-Northern Ireland:...
. In 1950–51
1950-51 in English football
The 1950–51 season was the 71st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Tottenham Hotspur won their first League Championship, while Newcastle United defeated Blackpool 2–0 to win their fourth F.A. Cup. They would win it twice more over the next four seasons. The league was expanded...
Southampton had problems with the goalkeeping position and in all used four different custodians (the others were Eddie Thomas
Eddie Thomas (footballer)
Edwin Henry Charles "Eddie" Thomas is a retired English footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Southampton in the early 1950s.-Football career:...
and Len Stansbridge
Len Stansbridge
Leonard Edward Charles Stansbridge was an English footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Southampton in the period either side of the Second World War.-Football career:...
). Described by Holley & Chalk as "agile and brave" he spent most of his time at The Dell jostling for the No. 1 shirt with Fred Kiernan
Fred Kiernan
Frederick William Kiernan was an Irish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the 1940s and 1950s.-Playing career:...
until 1956, when Christie established himself as the first choice 'keeper. In 1956–57 he played in all but the last two games of the season as Saints had the best defence in the Third Division South, but were unable to secure promotion, finishing in fourth place in the table.
He started the following season as first choice 'keeper before losing his place to Brian Stevens after a 4-0 defeat at Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
on 16 September. Stevens retained the No. 1 shirt for ten games before Christie regained it, keeping it for the rest of the season. He continued into the following season until after a run of 50 league and cup games a knee injury forced him to give way to 19 year-old Tony Godfrey, who had come up through the ranks from the youth team. Although Christie regained the shirt in March for a further seven games, he made his final appearance for the Saints on 11 April 1959, away to Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
. After making 217 appearances for Southampton in just over 8 years, he moved to Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
in June 1959.
At Walsall, he won a Football League Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
championship medal in 1960 and the following season he was part of the team that gained a successive promotion to the Second Division.
In August 1962, he left Walsall and then had spells at Burton Albion and Rugby Town
Rugby Town F.C.
Rugby Town F.C. is a football club based in Rugby, Warwickshire, which plays in the Southern Football League Division One Central. It is nicknamed The Valley, and plays its home matches at Butlin Road...
before retiring.
After retirement from football in 1964, he was a sales representative for Columbus Dixon industrial cleaners for 27 years, and then site supervisor at Henry Beaufort School
Henry Beaufort School
Henry Beaufort School, sometimes calledHenry Beaufort College of Technology, is a secondary school in Harestock, a suburb of Winchester, in the county of Hampshire in England...
in Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
. He now lives in Chandler's Ford
Chandler's Ford
Chandler's Ford is a largely residential area and civil parish in the Borough of Eastleigh in Hampshire, England, with a population of 20,071 in the 2001 UK Census....
in Hampshire.
Honours
WalsallWalsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
championship: 1959–60 - Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
runners-up: 1960–61