Liverpool-born Fitzpatrick played for Tranmere Rovers, Liverpool and Preston North End all on non-contract terms before finally putting pen-to-paper on a deal with Bolton Wanderers. He went on to play for Bristol City and Carlisle United before a move to Filbert Street in 1991.
He was Brian Little's first buy for £40,000 and made his debut at Swindon Town. A versatile player, he started out at Bolton as a full-back but played in midfield and up front for City before reverting back to defence in Cumbria. He featured predominantly as a centre-back as a Fox but his chances soon dried up at City and he was allowed a free-transfer move to Birmingham City after 21 league starts for Leicester.
It was a move made in search of regular first team action but it didn't happen for him. Nor did it happen with further spells at Bury, Hamilton Academicals and Northampton Town, with Fitzpatrick making just 37 more senior appearances on leaving Filbert Street. After playing in non-league football he briefly had spell as manager at Corby Town and assistant boss at Gresley Rovers.
