INSPIRATION can be found in all sorts of places. For Tony Fitzpatrick, St Mirren's new chief executive, he didn't have to look far before he found it.

Standing inside the doorway of the Paisley club's Ralston training complex, the modest surroundings and the dreich weather whipping up outside was not enough to dampen the enthusiasm of a man bursting with excitement to haul the team he loves back to where he believes they belong.

During the exchange, Fitzpatrick covered different topics ranging from restoring St Mirren to the top flight, coming back to his spiritual home and his faith in his management team. However, arguably the subject mentioned most was that of fan engagement.

The former club captain was previously involved in an attempted fan takeover, only to just fall short. Opening up St Mirren to the wider community is something he is clearly passionate about. With this in mind, Fitzpatrick has held up Elite League ice hockey club Braehead Clan as the shining example of how to generate interest and drive supporters through the door. Despite only being formed in 2010, the Glasgow club regularly play in front of sell-out home crowds at the Braehead Arena of around 3500, while their attitude to fan engagement and entertainment has helped win them plaudits as well as awards.

Fitzpatrick is one of many admirers, and he has pledged to take a leaf out of their near neighbours' book at St Mirren.

“You have to engage with supporters," he said. "I look at Braehead. Look at the way they have generated things. You have to look at it and give them credit.

“St Mirren have great foundations but like the great man Sir Alex Ferguson once did here, you have to go out and get your customers.

“Over the last few years I have been involved with leadership qualities and going to speak to major companies through my business. They tell you to go and get customers and we are no different. We want people to come to games and feel good.

“We want the fans to feel part of the club. The club needs the whole security."

He added: “Clan are getting as many supporters as St Mirren are getting on a Saturday for a league match. Of course you have to look at that and see how they are structured.

“I am fortunate to have contacts at a lot of clubs so you always go and look at what is best."

Fitzpatrick is of course no stranger to St Mirren. Named as the club's youngest ever captain at 17, he turned out over 450 times for them across two spells while also managing the Paisley side twice, a double feat nobody else has done. Above all else, however, the man who also had a stint at Bristol City has St Mirren at heart, and has felt the frustration and pain over the last 18 months as his club struggles with life in the Ladbrokes Championship after being relegated last term from the top flight.

While his playing and coaching days may be over, he is determined to do what he can to restore St Mirren to where he believes they should be.

“It has been a bit mind-boggling at times because the team can play good football, they just haven’t always got the results to back that up," said Fitzpatrick. “That’s frustrating and we are where we are. But I still believe when I see the players, the manager, the structure, and I see potential.

“At the end of the day I’m a supporter. I know how we have all felt. The one word I’d hate to use is apathy, we need to stop thinking ‘ach it’s another game where we have been unlucky.’

“That’s not just down to me though, there is the manager as well and I’m there to support him."