The news means that McIlroy will be in charge of the Shrimps until the end of the 2009/10 season. His current deal was due to expire at the end of the current season.

McIlroy said he was "delighted'' to have put pen to paper on the new deal.

He said: "I am really happy to have signed an extension to the current deal. This is a great club and we have had some wonderful times over the three years I have been here and although we have had a difficult start this season we can now plan for the future.

"We are still establishing ourselves in the Football League but the club has great potential. We are looking to move into a new ground and we have great supporters and a great board and we are all looking to progress together.

"It is tough being a manager but I am delighted that I have a chairman and a board of directors who have shown great confidence in me and my staff.''

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Shrimps' chairman Peter McGuigan said: "I am very pleased that Sammy has signed an extension.

"We knew this season would be difficult and although we didn't make the best of starts there are signs that we are improving and I am very confident that we will finish in a good position this season. We are fully behind Sammy and we are sure he will continue to move this club forward.''

Mr McGuigan also thanked the club's supporters for their loyalty in recent weeks saying: "Results haven't been as we hoped but the supporters who come week in week out have been magnificent. If they can continue to encourage others to come down to Christie Park we would all be delighted to welcome them.''