Manager Jim Goodwin insists St Mirren ’s squad would be nowhere near as strong as it currently is without the input and drive of chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick.
Saints fans have been paying tribute in huge numbers to the club legend after the 65-year-old recently announced he will retire in March.
Goodwin has worked extremely closely with Fitzpatrick since taking over the managerial reins back in June 2019.
And he is adamant the constant work the chief executive puts in behind the scenes to increase the playing budget has been a major factor in the Paisley side’s advancement on the pitch in recent seasons.
Speaking exclusively to Express Sport, Goodwin said: “Tony has been a great support to me since I came back to the club as manager.
“I’ve worked closely with him on a number of different matters, and he’s always been very keen to help in whatever way possible.
“He has also been instrumental in gaining the financial backing of the board.
“That has allowed me to recruit the kind of players we have at the moment in the squad, which ultimately led to us having our highest league finish in decades last season, along with getting to two cup semi-finals.”
Fitzpatrick has been hugely influential since he was appointed to his current role in January 2016.
As well as establishing the St Mirren Charitable Foundation, he has also helped the club’s academy reach Elite status for the first time in their history.
Developing and modernising the training centre at Ralston has also been one of Fitzpatrick’s greatest priorities, which Goodwin firmly believes will help him attract better players to the club in the future.
Goodwin said: “During Tony’s time we have improved a number of key areas on the park, but we have also improved key positions off the park.
“Strong appointments like Kevin Bain (physio), Graeme Ellis (scout) and Joe Hayes (kit manager) have been crucial.
“Those three individuals, added to the great staff I inherited have allowed us to be one of the most professionally run football departments in the country.
“Tony was also heavily involved in the refurbishment of our training centre at Ralston, which has been modernised and will take the club to a whole new level.
“Not only will this help me attract good players to our club, but it will also be of great benefit to the academy as well.”
With Fitzpatrick ready to retire when he turns 66 in March, Goodwin is delighted to see the fan favourite get a well-earned break after so many years involved at the football coal face.
Goodwin added: “On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to wish Tony a very happy retirement.
“I also look forward to welcoming him back to the club as a supporter in the future.”
