Five Manchester United players appeared in Northern Ireland’s starting lineup for six games in the late 1970s: Tommy Jackson, David McCreery, Chris McGrathand, Sammy McIlroy and Jimmy Nicholl. Also taking part were former Manchester United favorites Trevor Anderson and George Best.
Samuel McIlroy was born on August 2, 1954 in the troubled city of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Raised in the very heart of Protestant East Belfast, he was immersed from an early age in a mixture of politics and religion. Nonetheless, East Belfast has produced a host of immensely talented Manchester United players over the years, including household names like George Best, Eric McMordie, David McCreery and Norman Whiteside. After being discovered by famed United scout Bob Bishop while still a school player, McIlroy was advised by his family to seek his football fortune in the calmer climates of Lancashire as Northern Ireland teetered on the brink of Civil War. .
Sammy McIlroy, the last youth player to be signed by legendary Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby, arrived in Manchester as a modest and cool 14-year-old in the summer of 1969. He found the net on his United debut against him. fierce rival Manchester City in November. 1971, the talented youngster quickly became a huge hit with the Old Trafford faithful. Finally establishing himself in Manchester United’s first team during the 1974-75 season, McIlroy proceeded to make a total of 391 appearances for the Reds. The young veteran also played an important role in United’s fantastic revival with Tommy Docherty in the mid-1970s, winning the Second Division title with the Reds in 1975 and the FA Cup two years later.
Finally, upon deciding to leave Manchester United at the end of the 1981-82 season, Sammy McIlroy went on to play for Stoke City, Manchester City, Bury, Preston North End and Northwich Victoria. The Ulsterman worker also had an extraordinary international career, winning a total of 88 games for his beloved Northern Ireland between 1972 and 1987.
“The Protestant people in Northern Ireland were used and abused by the British. How is it possible that working-class people living in poverty voted for the Conservatives? Conquer, the British trait of the year period.”
Paddy Crerand quote.