Dave Challinor dismisses speculation linking AFC Fylde striker Danny Rowe to Hartlepool United

Danny Rowe of AFC Flyde celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FA Trophy Final match between Leyton Orient and AFC Fylde at Wembley Stadium on May 19, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

A reunion between Danny Rowe and Dave Challinor is looking unlikely after the Hartlepool United manager dismissed talks of a potential move for the AFC Fylde forward.

The prolific Rowe was transfer listed at his own request on Wednesday afternoon and with Pools desperate to bolster their attacking line, it seemed to be a perfect fit.

Former Fylde boss Challinor brought Rowe to the club in 2014 as he went on to net 169 goals under his management.

And when asked if there was a possibility of bringing the 29-year-old striker to Victoria Park, Challinor responded with a blunt: “No.

“I know Rowey really well and he’s coming to the end of his contract with Fylde so I’ll imagine he’ll move into the Football Leauge, if Fylde accept a bid that is suitable for them.

“In terms of coming to us, it’s not one that we’re able to do. There was a lot of speculation yesterday, I was in a meeting about our recruitment plan and I came out to my phone buzzing with all sorts of missed calls but from our perspective there’s nothing happening there.

“If something does happen then people will be seeing Danny in the Football League and it’s up to him to go and show what he can do.”

Prior to this season, Rowe had been prolific for Fylde so it may come as a surprise that he hasn’t moved up to the EFL sooner.

“That’s down to a few things,” Challinor revealed.

“The club were never in any need to sell Danny. There was a lot of speculation and rubbish speculation regarding how much he earned at Fylde.

“He’ll go on to earn a lot more playing in the Football League than he is doing at Fylde.

“At Fylde, he was at a club with ambition and with a drive to get into the Football League and has had long contracts, been successful and been at home and around his family, so it was comfortable for him.

“There was never an enormous amount of interest in him while I was there with the exception of Cheltenham who bid a significant fee but aside from that there was nothing.”