Background
Fitzpatrick was born in Liverpool.
Fitzpatrick was born in Liverpool.
When he left school, he joined Liverpool as a trainee, and, still as a junior, spent some time with Tranmere Rovers before signing for Bolton Wanderers in March 1985. After 18 months and 14 league games, Fitzpatrick, a central defender, joined Bristol City, where he spent two years, playing in about half City"s games. Carlisle United of the Fourth Division paid £40,000 for Fitzpatrick"s services in October 1988.
His arrival is credited with helping to "spark a revival" which raised Carlisle from 23rd place at the end of the previous season to a mid-table position in 1989.
He was Player of the Season in the 1989-1990 season as the club narrowly failed to reach the play-offs. A season later, Fitzpatrick moved up two divisions to join Leicester City, where he played 27 league games in a year and a half before embarking on a tour of the lower reaches of the Football League with Birmingham City, Bury and Northampton Town and a few months in the Scottish First Division (second tier) with Hamilton Academical.
He then moved into non-league football with Leicester United, Forest Green Rovers, Corby Town, a spell as assistant to Garry Birtles as manager of Gresley Rovers, and Workington.