Joseph Barnes Christie was born in Accrington on May 17, 1863.
The legendary Shrimps' benefactor was a businessman with the firm of Messrs Myrtle, Burt & Co exporters and merchants of Manchester who had a large trade in the Dutch West Indies.
He moved to Morecambe from his home in Southport when he retiredand lived in the town for 10 years. A generous benefactor for many good causes in Morecambe he is best remembered for his association with the football club where he was club president. Starting as president of the supporters club he helped arrange the lease of Rosebery Park. In March 1926 the ground was renamed Christie Park.
A man with great foresight he was intent on getting the Shrimps on a better financial footing and formed the club into a limited company at a meeting on May 9, 1927.
Mr Christie died on June 1, 1929, aged 76.
His obituary from the Lancaster Guardian read as follows
MORECAMBE'S LOSS. Death of Mr. Joseph Barnes Christie. GREAT BENEFACTOR
We record with deep regret, the death on Saturday afternoon, of Mr. Joseph Barnes Christie, President of the Morecambe Football Club and Morecambe Cricket Club, at his residence, "Queensholme" Mayfleld Drive, Bare, Morecambe.
Seventy-six years of age, Mr. Christie was a native of Accrington, and for many years in business as a member of the firm of Messrs. Myrtle, Burt, and Co., exporters and merchants, of Manchester, who had a large trade the Dutch East Indies.
He had lived in Morecambe for nearly 10 Years and had proved himself a friend to many individuals and organisations in Morecambe. He gave the football ground, Christie Park, to the on condition that it should be used by the Morecambe F.C. as long as the club existed, and if the club was ever disbanded it should become a playground for the children of Morecambe. In many other ways he was a generous benefactor to the club.
He had built the present Morecambe Boys' Brigade Hall next to the football ground and he fitted it with a handsome wireless set.
By a gift of £1,000 lie endowed a bed in the Morecambe Queen Victoria Hospital in November last, by a gift of £1,500 he redeemed the mortgage on the ex-servicemen's club and presented the deeds to it. Police and other charities also experienced his help.
