Tony Fitzpatrick (footballer)

Anthony Charles Fitzpatrick (born 3 March 1956 in Glasgow) is a Scottish former football player and manager. He made a record 351 league appearances (458 in all competitions – since beaten by Hugh Murray)[3] for St Mirren in two spells, playing for Bristol City in the two intervening seasons.

Tony Fitzpatrick
Personal information
Full name Anthony Charles Fitzpatrick
Date of birth (1956-03-03) 3 March 1956
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Possil Y.M.
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1973–1979 St Mirren 160 (9)
1979–1981 Bristol City 75 (1)
1981–1989 St Mirren 191 (9)
Total 426 (19)
International career
1977 Scotland U21[1] 5 (0)
1978 Scottish League XI[2] 1 (0)
Managerial career
1988–1991 St Mirren
1996–1998 St Mirren
2001 Clydebank (caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Fitzpatrick was made captain of St Mirren at the age of 19 by the then manager Alex Ferguson.[4] He represented the Scottish League XI once, in a 1–1 draw with the Italian League in April 1978.[2]

During his time with the Paisley club he captained them to the 1987 Scottish Cup Final and made a substitute appearance as the team defeated Dundee United to lift the trophy. He also managed the club between 1988 and 1991 and again between 1996 and 1998.

Tony had a spell as Youth Development Manager at Livingston prior to the club entering administration. Following this he decided to change his focus and concentrate on an interest of his, developing peoples self-esteem and confidence through sport and groupwork. He ran Kan-Do Sports Training and Development, working with both adults and teenagers seeking to return to employment by developing their 'soft skills'.[5]

Fitzpatrick was appointed St Mirren chief executive in January 2016, succeeding Brian Caldwell.[6]

In March 2022 at age 66 he announced that he would be stepping down from this role at the end of that month, and transition into an unofficial club ambassador role.[7]

Legacy

Fitzpatrick was one of four former players voted by supporters to have a street named in his honour - Fitzpatrick Way - following a public competition[8] run by Renfrewshire Council to name the streets at the former Love Street ground being developed into affordable housing by Sanctuary Scotland.

He was also honoured by Renfrewshire Council after having a gritter named after him, with 'Tony Gritzpatrick' coming out on top after a public vote to name the local authority's nine gritting machines.[9]

References
  1. Scotland U21 player Tony Fitzpatrick at FitbaStats
  2. "Tony Fitzpatrick". Londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  3. Currie, David (28 April 2011). "Hugh Murray eyes Buddies stay beyond record appearance". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  4. "Tony Fitzpatrick: 'I tricked Alex Ferguson into playing me' before St Mirren captaincy". BBC Sport. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  5. "About Us". Kan-Do Training & Development. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  6. "Tony Fitzpatrick: St Mirren appoint former player as CEO". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  7. "Scottish football great Sir Alex Ferguson pays special tribute to retiring St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick". 21 March 2022. Archived from the original on 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  8. St Mirren stars immortalised at former Love Street stadium, Renfrewshire Council
  9. "#NameOurGritters".
  • Tony Fitzpatrick at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database


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