St Mirren have decided to rename their family stand in honour of club legend and current chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick.
The former midfielder is one of the Paisley side’s most decorated players, having made 458 appearances in two spells as a player.
In a surprise unveiling Fitzpatrick, who also managed the club during two separate spells, could be seen tearing up at the announcement.
The stand will now be known as The Tony Fitzpatrick Family Stand.
The man, who was captained by Sir Alex Ferguson as a teenager, said: “I feel numb.
“Any time I think about it my head goes fuzzy with it all. I’m still in shock about it, it’s so surreal.
“I remember being a 12-year-old boy looking over Love Street on a summer night thinking about how I wanted to play at St Mirren and to now have a stand named after me is incredible. I’m so proud and so humbled.
“For by Sir Alex Ferguson, my dad was the biggest influence in my life and it was to this day four years ago that I took him into hospital for the last time before he passed away.
“I have to thank Gordon Scott and all the directors as well for giving me this honour.
“Generally in life you see so many tributes to people who have passed away but to get this while I’m still alive and still at the club is a major honour.”
Gordon Scott, St Mirren chairman, added: “There is nobody that encapsulates family at St Mirren more than Tony.
“He’s been a player here, he’s been a manager here, he’s been a chief executive and he’s been a massive part of what we have achieved as a club over the last few years. I can’t think of anybody more suitable to name a stand after than Tony.
“Slowly but surely we are doing more bits and pieces that make the stadium feel like our home. I would like to do something with the other stands as well and that’s something we will involve the fans with.
“I’m sure Tony was voted the number one Saints player of all time and he’s the second highest appearance maker of all time so I think it’s perfect.”
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