Growing up in East Belfast during the 1960s, Sammy McIlroy’s journey into professional football was shaped not only by his talent but also by the challenging backdrop of Northern Ireland’s Troubles.
PART ONE
Coming from East Belfast, Sammy McIlroy hails from a district that has produced a great number of highly talented Manchester United players up through the years, including household names such as Trevor Anderson, Georgie Best, Jonny Evans, David McCreery, Eric McMordie, Jimmy Nicholl, and Norman Whiteside. In the case of McIlroy, his early promise was evident when he made four appearances for the Northern Ireland Schoolboys, catching the attention of many leading clubs. However, the turning point came when he was discovered by Manchester United´s Northern Ireland scout Bob Bishop while still a schoolboy player and was advised to seek his fortune in the calmer climes of England as his nation was tottering on the brink of Civil War. Consequently, a trial was arranged in Manchester, and it wasn’t long before McIlroy was offered a lifeline out of Belfast, signing with United. Undoubtedly, this opportunity changed the course of his life and career forever
The last youth player to be signed by legendary manager Sir Matt Busby, he arrived in Manchester as a fresh faced teenager during the summer of 1969 and quickly settled down at United, who were known for bridging the gap between different religions and cultures. What the Protestant boy lacked in natural ability he more than made up for in hard work, and he made jaws drop when he found the net on his debut in a high-scoring 3-3 First Division draw with neighbours Manchester City at Maine Road on the 6th of November 1971.
City controlled proceedings from the beginning of the first half, but it was United who opened the scoring when George Best laid off the ball to McIlroy who hammered home to give the visitors the lead six minutes ahead of the break. In the second half, United doubled their advantage as Brian Kidd added a second goal from close range in the 46th minute, only for Francis Lee to reduce the deficit for City from the penalty spot eleven minutes later. The Citizens kept on attacking and the home team had their equaliser two minutes past the hour mark when Lee sent a brilliant through pass to the on-running Colin Bell who rounded United goalkeeper Alex Stepney and put the ball into the empty net to make it two-all, but only one minute later in the derby clash the visiting side regained the lead as a ferocious long distance shot from John Aston Junior ended up in the onion bag. Refusing to surrender, Manchester City levelled the score once more thanks to Mike Summerbee who powered the ball into the goal in the 89th minute of the tie after a mistake from Stepney, making the final score 3-3.
McIlroy followed up by scoring his second goal for Manchester United in a 3-1 First Division triumph against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford just a week later, and the rookie went on to clock up four goals during 21 first-team appearances for The Reds in his inaugural season in which the club ended eighth position in the First Division table. The 1972-73 campaign was to be a disappointment, however, with Manchester United finishing in 18th place, and the following season was even worse as the Old Trafford outfit found themselves relegated to the Second Division along with Southampton and Norwich City at the end of the day.
The Northern Irishman proceeded to amass a total of 391 first team appearances for Manchester United, and played an important part in the nothing but fantastic revival of the sleeping giant during the mid-1970s. As for honours, he won the Second Division Championship with United in 1974-75, and pocketed an FA Cup winner’s medal as Tommy Docherty´s boys edged out bitter enemies Liverpool by a 2–1 margin in the final on the 21st of May 1977. He was also a member of the side which played out a goalless draw with the Merseysiders in the FA Charity Shield match at Wembley Stadium on the 13th of August the same year. After leaving Manchester United midway through the 1981-82 campaign, the strong running midfielder would go on to appear for Richie Barker´s Stoke City for whom he scored on his club debut in a comfortable 2-0 First Division win over relegation strugglers Sunderland at Roker Park on the 10th of February 1982.
While at Victoria Ground, the playmaker notched up 14 Football League goals in 133 games for the Staffordshire side before he joined forces with none other than Manchester City at the beginning of the 1985-86 season. There followed moves to Orgryte Gothenburg, Bury, Admira Wacker, Preston North End, and ultimately Northwich Victoria. A composed player and a sublime reader of the game, McIlroy also collected an impressive 88 senior caps for Northern Ireland and he played in all of the country’s matches during both the 1982 World Cup in Spain and the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. And without doubt, the absolute highlight of his international career arrived in the unforgettable 1-0 World Cup Group Stage victory against hosts Spain at the Estadio Luis Casanova in Valencia on the 25th of June 1982, with Watford striker Gerry Armstrong hitting the winner for The Green and White Army in the 47th minute.
PART TWO
Following his retirement from active playing, McIlroy eventually decided to move into management. From his early coaching days to his international tenure with Northern Ireland and eventual success in English football, McIlroy demonstrated a consistent ability to adapt to various challenges, moulding players, instilling discipline, and embracing the unpredictability that comes with management. Throughout his career, McIlroy never shied away from taking on difficult assignments, often leading clubs on the brink of obscurity to greater heights, a testament to his tenacity and footballing intelligence. Let us delve into the key moments of McIlroy’s managerial journey, beginning with his transition from player to coach and culminating in his remarkable achievements with clubs like Macclesfield Town and Morecambe.
His first taste of managerial responsibility arrived in 1991 when he was appointed as a player-coach under John McGrath at Preston North End. This initial role was crucial in shaping McIlroy’s future in management, allowing him to learn the intricacies of the job while still actively involved in the game as a player. However, as McIlroy moved forward in his career, it became evident that he was ready to fully immerse himself in management, taking the reins and moulding teams in his vision.
His early years as a manager were spent in the non-league football scene, where McIlroy cut his teeth with Ashton United and Northwich Victoria. Although his time at both clubs was relatively short, these early experiences helped him lay the foundation for his managerial style, which emphasized attacking football and disciplined organization. McIlroy’s approach was simple yet effective—he believed in building a cohesive unit capable of playing attractive football, while also ensuring the team was well-drilled in their defensive responsibilities. The balance he sought in his teams would become a hallmark of his managerial philosophy, one that would soon propel him to greater success.
In 1993, McIlroy took over as manager of Macclesfield Town, a club in desperate need of revitalization. The Silkmen had narrowly avoided relegation the previous season, and McIlroy faced the daunting task of rebuilding the squad and instilling a sense of belief. His impact was immediate, as he guided Macclesfield to a seventh-place finish in his debut season—an impressive turnaround from their prior struggles. McIlroy’s ability to breathe new life into struggling teams was on full display here, as he not only improved the squad’s performance but also fostered a winning mentality that would prove pivotal in the seasons to come.
In particular, the 1994-95 season was when McIlroy’s work truly began to bear fruit. Under his guidance, Macclesfield Town played an attractive brand of football that caught the attention of many. His emphasis on fluid attacking play and defensive solidity saw the Silkmen rise to the top of the Conference, securing the title with an impressive display of skill and consistency. Unfortunately, their dream of promotion to the Football League was dashed due to the club’s stadium not meeting the necessary standards for elevation. Nevertheless, McIlroy had laid the groundwork for what would become a transformative era for the club. His work was far from finished, and the following season proved that Macclesfield, under McIlroy’s stewardship, was destined for greater things.
In 1996, McIlroy led Macclesfield Town to one of their most memorable moments when they lifted the FA Trophy after a 3-1 victory over Northwich Victoria at Wembley. This triumph further solidified McIlroy’s status as a manager capable of bringing success to underdog teams. Despite the cup success, the goal of promotion to the Football League remained elusive, with the club finishing fourth in the Conference. Yet, McIlroy’s determination never wavered, and the 1996-97 season would see his perseverance rewarded. On the final day of the season, Macclesfield needed a win to secure promotion to the Football League for the first time in their 120-year history, and McIlroy’s men delivered with a resounding 4-1 victory over Kettering Town. The achievement was nothing short of remarkable, as McIlroy had taken a club with limited resources and guided them from the brink of relegation to the Football League within just a few seasons.
As a result, Macclesfield’s rise to the Football League was a story of resilience, resourcefulness, and McIlroy’s brilliant leadership. The 1997-98 season saw the Silkmen continue to defy expectations, finishing second in the league and earning promotion to the Second Division. The rapid rise under McIlroy’s leadership was unprecedented, yet it also brought about new challenges. Competing in the Second Division against clubs like Manchester City, Fulham, and Preston North End was a tall order for a team with such modest resources. Despite a valiant effort, Macclesfield struggled to adapt to the higher level and were ultimately relegated after finishing the season with 46 points. Nonetheless, McIlroy’s time at Macclesfield remains a highlight of his managerial career, as he had achieved what many believed was impossible—transforming the fortunes of a small club and guiding them to the Football League.
Undoubtedly, McIlroy’s departure from Macclesfield in 1999 marked the end of an era, but it also opened the door to new opportunities. Later that year, he was appointed as the manager of Northern Ireland, a role that held great personal significance. However, managing a national team posed an entirely different set of challenges. Northern Ireland, at the time, was a team in transition, and McIlroy inherited a squad that lacked the depth and quality to compete consistently at the international level. Despite these limitations, McIlroy’s early tenure showed promise, with Northern Ireland securing five wins in his first year in charge. Yet, as the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign unfolded, the difficulties became apparent. The team failed to score in eight consecutive qualifying matches, a statistic that underscored their struggles in front of goal and the uphill battle McIlroy faced.
However, there were moments of resilience, such as a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Spain, which demonstrated McIlroy’s ability to inspire his team to punch above their weight. Yet, the lack of consistent results ultimately led to McIlroy stepping down in 2003. His time with Northern Ireland may not have yielded the success he had hoped for, but it provided him with invaluable experience in managing at the highest level, often with limited resources and in high-pressure situations. McIlroy’s departure from the international stage did not signal the end of his managerial career, as he soon returned to club football, taking charge of Stockport County.
McIlroy’s tenure at Stockport, however, was brief and ultimately unremarkable. His time at the club lasted just over a year, with the team struggling to find consistency and McIlroy unable to replicate the success he had enjoyed at Macclesfield. After leaving Stockport in 2004, McIlroy took on a new challenge in November 2005 when he was appointed caretaker manager of Morecambe, stepping in for Jim Harvey, who had suffered a heart attack. Despite the tragic circumstances, McIlroy rose to the occasion and guided Morecambe to the Conference play-offs, though they narrowly missed out on promotion after a 4-3 aggregate loss to Hereford United.
As a result of his impressive work in difficult circumstances, McIlroy was appointed as Morecambe’s permanent manager in 2006. In his first full season in charge, McIlroy led the club to the Conference play-offs once again. This time, however, the outcome was different. Morecambe triumphed over Exeter City to win promotion to the Football League, marking yet another remarkable achievement in McIlroy’s managerial career. The victory was made all the more special as it was one of the first matches played at the newly built Wembley Stadium, and for McIlroy, it was a fitting reward for his perseverance and skill as a manager.
Furthermore, McIlroy continued to guide Morecambe to solid performances in the Football League, leading them to an 11th-place finish in their inaugural season, as well as impressive victories in the League Cup over Preston North End and Wolverhampton Wanderers. His ability to keep the club competitive in League Two, despite their limited resources, was a testament to his managerial acumen. In 2008-09, Morecambe once again finished 11th in the table, demonstrating consistency under McIlroy’s leadership. However, it was in the following season that Morecambe achieved their best finish under McIlroy, ending the campaign in 4th place and earning a spot in the play-offs. Unfortunately, their promotion hopes were dashed by a resounding defeat against Dagenham & Redbridge in the semi-finals.
McIlroy’s time at Morecambe came to an end in 2011, following a 20th-place finish in the league. His departure marked the conclusion of a highly successful chapter for both the manager and the club. Under his leadership, Morecambe had firmly established themselves as a respectable Football League side, and McIlroy’s achievements with the club will long be remembered by the fans. Yet, even as his managerial career wound down, McIlroy’s love for the game remained evident. In October 2022, he returned to Macclesfield, the club where he had enjoyed so much success, in a mentoring capacity. Working closely with manager Danny Whitaker, McIlroy once again demonstrated his desire to give back to the game that had given him so much.
McIlroy’s managerial career is one defined by his ability to take on challenging assignments and achieve success against the odds. His work at Macclesfield Town and Morecambe, in particular, stands as a testament to his footballing intelligence and resilience. Moreover, his time with Northern Ireland, though challenging, provided valuable lessons that helped shape him as a manager. Throughout his career, he remained passionate about the game, constantly seeking to inspire his players and elevate the clubs he managed. As a result, his contributions to football, both as a player and manager, have earned him a lasting legacy in the sport.