Born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, Christie first played football as a youth in the Peterborough area, and started his career at Northborough, moving onto non-League clubs Deeping Rangers and Nuneaton Borough. Whilst playing in non-League football he was also a supermarket shelf stacker. Christie's big break came in October 1998 when he was purchased by Derby County managerJim Smith. By 2000, Christie had established himself as a first team player at Derby County. He spent one more season with Derby after they were relegated from the FA Premier League before Middlesbrough signed him and Chris Riggott for a combined £3 million in February 2003. Christie was part of Middlesbrough's 2004 League Cup-winning team. Despite being injured for the final he appeared in the earlier rounds and scored the winner against Brighton & Hove Albion. His chances were limited at his new club due to several long term injuries. In 2006, although unable to play due to injury, Christie was invited back to Nuneaton Borough as guest of honour for their FA Cup third round tie against Middlesbrough. Nuneaton went on to shock their visitors by producing a 1–1 draw, and earning a replay at the Riverside Stadium. On 25 November 2006, after returning from his injuries, manager Gareth Southgate gave Christie a start against Aston Villa at Villa Park. Christie scored on his return in the 43rd minute in a match which finished 1–1. Middlesbrough subsequently released Christie when his contract expired in June 2007. He started a trial period with Hull City on 11 September 2007. However, he was not offered a contract at the end of his two-month trial. Also, in midseason, Malcolm rejected a contract offer from Nigel Clough, then manager of Burton Albion. In January 2008, he began a trial with Leeds United, but picked up an injury which scuppered any deal. In September, he began using the training facilities at Leeds United in a bid to gain full fitness with the blessing of Leeds' manager Gary McAllister; although, at the time, the offer was considered to be a courtesy, and not intended to be a trial On 13 October 2008, however, he was cleared to play in a reserves fixture for Leeds against Scunthorpe United. On 10 November 2008, McAllister began to open up contract talks with Christie after regaining his fitness. He made his Leeds debut on 17 November 2008 against Northampton Town in the first round of the FA Cup. Christie scored his first goal for Leeds on 28 December, in the 3–1 victory away from home, against Stockport County. Christie suffered a spinal injury in training and, following medical advice, retired from professional football on 29 January 2009. Following his retirement, Christie took up a new career working as a salesman for Jaguar.
