Tony Fitzpatrick wants St Mirren to bring 'magical' European nights back to Paisley for the fans
dailyrecord.co.ukTony Fitzpatrick revealed it was an “honour” to represent St Mirren across the continent.Now the Saints legend wants the current crop of players to seize their opportunity to end the Paisley club’s exile from European football that’s lasted nearly four decades.Former skipper Fitzpatrick played in a golden era for the Buddies in Europe – with the club qualifying for the UEFA Cup three times in the 1980s.He was also donning the black and white stripes the last time St Mirren played in European competition, taking on Mechelen in the European Cup Winners’ Cup back in November 1987.Fitzpatrick remembers flying out on European adventures surrounded by Saints fans as they raised the Paisley club’s profile around the continent.And the 67-year-old would love to get his passport out again with the Buddies if they can clinch a European spot by the end of this month after making it into the Premiership top-six.
Speaking exclusively to the Paisley Daily Express, Fitzpatrick said: “There’s nothing better than European football.“Because of how long it’s been, there are a lot of St Mirren fans who have never experienced that feeling.“Love Street was mobbed on those days back in the 80s, when we qualified pretty regularly.“There’s something about the midweek games, under the floodlights against teams from other countries.
It’s just magical.“It was an honour to play for St Mirren in Europe, especially abroad when the fans would come along with us.“St Etienne, Tromso, Prague, Mechelen.
The fans always came with us and it grew the club’s name around Europe.“A lot of fans travelled with the team back in those days on our charter flights.“I remember coming back from Tromso after we’d qualified for the next round - it was brilliant.“The
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