As a football mad child born in Belfast, it was inevitable that Sammy McIlroy would idolise the great George Best. Therefore, when Sir Matt Busby presented Sammy with an amateur contract on his 15th birthday, it was a child’s dreams come true.

Two years later, prior to the Manchester derby, Denis Law failed a fitness test and Sammy was thrown in for his senior debut playing alongside the likes of Best and Bobby Charlton. He was however, not overawed as he scored one goal and assisted in two more in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Over the next ten years, McIlroy became a regular for United making a total of 419 appearances and scored an impressive 71 goals from midfield. He appeared in three FA Cup Finals in the late 70s, achieving a winners medal in 1977 with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool.
In February 1982, he joined Stoke City where he made 144 appearances, scoring 14 goals over the next three seasons. Further spells followed at Orgryte (Sweden), Bury, Preston and Northwich Victoria before his retirement as a player in 1993.

Having made his international debut as a 17 year old, he is currently the 6th most capped player for Northern Ireland with 88 appearances and 5 goals. He appeared for his country in all their matches at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

McIlroy moved into management in 1992, most notably as the manager of Northern Ireland for a period of three years. He also managed Macclesfield and Morecambe to promotions to the Football League in 1997 and 2007 respectively.

Since retiring, he has worked in media and as an after dinner speaker.

See Sammy as part of the Manchester United Legends here at Emley on April 5th. Buy your tickets online here, in person at The Wentworth (opposite the football club) or phone 01484 506940