Career
At age 18 he played in the 1971 Final with Drogheda who lost to Limerick after a replay. This qualified Drogheda for the Blaxnit Cup where Drogheda lost on penalties to eventual winners Linfield. Mick was bought by Huddersfield Town (who were then in the English Premier Division) in August 1971 and made his first team debut against Wolves in October 1971.
He made 20 appearances in the 1971/72 season including games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Spurs & Wolves.
He also represented Ireland in the International match against the West German Olympic team Mick received a serious leg injury against Walsall on the 17th of September 1973 and this ultimately ended his career prematurely in 1974.
He was out of football for 6 years and then made a comeback in the with after receiving treatment from Bobby McGregor the renowned Northern Ireland Physio. His first game in nearly a decade came at Glenmalure Park on the 2nd of March 1980 when he came off the bench and scored the equaliser for the Lilywhites.
Fairclough made his European debut against F.C. Porto in the Estádio das Antas on the 17th of September 1980.
He also scored 3 goals in the European Cup Winners" Cup against Fram Reykjavik and Tottenham Hotspur in Oriel Park. In 1984 he left Oriel Park to return to Drogheda United where he started his career and finished playing there in 1986.