And while Pat might have made only one senior appearance in the world-famous red shirt, in a League Cup tie against York City at Old Trafford in September 1995, it has still helped him to develop a profile that can now be used to poignant, positive and powerful effect in the community.
In his case, the community is Northern Ireland, the country he was born and grew up in – "we had an absolutely brilliant childhood" – and went on to represent at various levels of international football, including the men's team on seven occasions between 1995 and 2000.