Samuel Baxter McIlroy MBE (born 2 August 1954) is a Northern Irish retired footballer who played for Manchester United, Stoke City, Manchester City, Örgryte (Sweden), Bury, VfB Mödling (Austria), Preston North End and the Northern Ireland national team.

[4] McIlroy was born in Belfast and moved to English club Manchester United in 1969 becoming Matt Busby's final signing.

[3] In 1982–83 Stoke had a solid midfield with McIlroy playing alongside former Manchester United team-mate Mickey Thomas, Mark Chamberlain and Paul Bracewell and the side finished in a mid-table position of 13th in 1982–83.

In 1984–85 Stoke suffered an embarrassing relegation going down with a then record low points tally of 17 with McIlroy winning the player of the year award.

[3] He was handed a free transfer in the summer of 1985 and McIlroy went on to play at Manchester City in the 1985–86 season, Swedish club Örgryte IS in 1986, Bury from 1986 to 1989 and Preston North End from 1989 to 1991.

He then went on to manage non-league team Ashton United and Northwich Victoria before joining Macclesfield Town for six and a half seasons, culminating in their promotion to the Football League in 1997.

1996–97 was a red letter season for the Silkmen as a final day, 4–1 victory over Kettering Town secured promotion to the Football League for the first time in 120 years.

Facing the might of Manchester City, Fulham, Wigan, Stoke, Reading, Preston and the like, the Silkmen eventually finished bottom of the division, but still achieved 46 points.

[9][10] In his first full season, Morecambe again reached they play-offs where they defeated Exeter City to win promotion to the Football League in one of the first games played at the new Wembley Stadium.