SOCCER: Sammy McIlroy has described as 'strange' Macclesfield Town's decision to offer director of football Gil Prescott a part-time contract.

Prescott was McIlroy's assistant at Macc for seven years as the club rose from the Conference to the Football League Second Division.

And the two had also worked together at Northwich before coming to the Moss Rose in 1993.

But Prescott has been told that Macc can only afford to offer him a part-time contract as the club attempts to clear debts in the wake of the ITV Digital collapse.

McIlroy also said that he hoped the club could stabilise following the recent boardroom turmoil.

The Northern Ireland boss said: "It's a bit strange what the club has done to Gil in deciding to cut his hours.

"I know the board is cost cutting at the moment. And it's very difficult for me to talk about it, because I know a lot of people at the club, and I'm a good friend of Eddie Furlong.

"But I hope the directors know what they are doing, otherwise there's a danger that everything that has been built up could disappear."

He added: "I hope the club can sort itself out at board level. That's very, very important. There are things going on at the moment that as an outsider it is difficult to comment on.

"But it's got to be sorted out, so that things like players' contracts can be sorted out.

"The problem is that if there is a rift, it trickles down to the players and the staff, and the thing just spreads through the club.

"And no one wants an unhappy club."

McIlroy paid tribute to Prescott for his work at the club during the last nine years.

He said: "Gil started with me at Northwich, so I've known him a long time.

"He knows a lot about non-league players, which I didn't when I was starting out. He had all the information.

"He is very, very enthusiastic. He loves the game and has always worked very hard."

McIlroy added he hoped the club could keep its Football League place and then progress.

He said: "I want them to keep on hanging in there, to remain a Football League club and to improve their position. They've got a great stadium, a great pitch and plenty to build on."

Indeed, the Silkmen have the potential to survive in the Second Division, according to McIlroy.

The Northern Ireland boss believes that the Macc side he managed at that level in 1998/99 was not far from being good enough to stay up.

McIlroy still has plenty of affection for the team he managed for seven years before taking up the Northern Ireland job in January 2000.

He said: "I was at Macclesfield for nearly seven years, and we had some great times.

"Winning the Conference twice and the FA Trophy were big achievements.

"Even when we were relegated from the Second Division, it didn't hurt that much. The only disappointing thing was that I thought we could have stayed up that year.

"To this day, I believe that Macclesfield could be a Second Division club.

"The squad that I had did unbelievably well."

McIlroy's fondest memories are of the team that won promotion from the Conference in 1997.

"I remember that we won 3-2 at Stevenage with ten men after being 2-0 down. That was the measure of the spirit in the side.

"Winning at Kettering on the final day to go up was brilliant. The atmosphere that day was fantastic - there were so many Macclesfield fans there.

"We went a goal down, and were looking at Kidderminster's score to see if they could pip us. Then little Chrissy Byrne hit a hat-trick and we finished up 4-1 winners. It was a great day."

McIlroy added that it was a wrench to leave in January 2000, but felt that he was making the right move.

"The time was right. After nearly seven years, maybe it was time for a change. These things happen in football, and you can overstay your welcome.

"But the supporters were great, and I have enjoyed going back to watch games since then."