Tony Fitzpatrick has reassured his Buddies he’ll still spend every Saturday with St Mirren, despite standing down as CEO.
Today marked the Saints legend’s final shift as chief executive, bringing to an end a productive and memorable six-year spell in the role.
While the 66-year-old is leaving the more hands on job to an as yet unconfirmed replacement, Fitzpatrick will still be staying on with the Buddies in a new ambassador role.
And the affable Saints hero, who made more than 400 appearances as a player and won the Scottish Cup and First Division, will still be following his beloved club home and away as he steps into his well-deserved retirement.
Speaking exclusively to Renfrewshire Live Sport, Fitzpatrick said: “It’s a sad moment to leave, but I feel like I’m leaving the club in great shape.
“We’ve done a lot of work behind the scenes to improve the club and that won’t stop now.
“It’ll be a strange feeling waking up on Friday morning and not going into the ground.
“I’m staying on as an ambassador but it won’t be the kind of 24/7 role I’m in just now.
“I’ll miss seeing the staff every day and it will be a big change in my life.
“I’ve got a couple of other things I’ll spend my time on, including writing because I want to keep Babakoochi Bear going.
“But you can rest assured I’ll still be spending all my Saturdays with St Mirren.”