DANNY Rowe’s loving his new lease of life as part of Macclesfield’s promotion push, and he says he’s being spurred on by sibling rivalry.
After taking time away from the game Rowe returned to the Moss Rose at the turn of the year to give John Askey’s squad a handy shot in the arm.
And should the Silkmen lose out on the title – Barnet currently lead the way at the top, with Bristol Rovers now their nearest challengers – the winger’s happy to settle for the ‘consolation’ of reaching League Two via a Wembley play-off win.
That would at least give him something to hit back at big brother Tommy, who’s been to the national stadium three times now.
“Going up in the play-offs wouldn’t be bad, that’s the way you’ve got to look at it,” reasoned the 25-year-old. “Obviously it’d be nice to win the league, that’s what everyone aims for but at the same time going to Wembley would be something special.
“That would be an unbelievable experience. My brother’s been there three times, he’s on me every week, asking me how we’re getting on and he’s giving us his support.
“If we don’t win the league hopefully we’ll be there.”
Like Rowe the elder, now plying his trade in the Championship with Wolves, Danny’s a former Stockport County product.
During his time out the local lad – something John Askey holds great sway by – kept in touch with the Macc boss and when the chance came to re-sign he jumped at the chance.
It was a move that neither player nor manager regret.
“Danny Rowe is a terrific player, he’s got everything that you could possibly want, and when he’s on song he’s unplayable,” enthused the Macc boss.
“He has the beating of his full-back a lot of the time and his quality at crossing is normally great.
“If we can keep him and (Adriano) Moke, pictured above, going as they are then anybody in our league will have a problem.”
And that’s how Rowe, hungry again after his sabbatical, sees it too.
“I had time out and I had offers to go to places but at the time I didn’t feel like I was ready to come back and play football for other reasons,” he said. “But I spoke to the gaffer and he wanted me to come back, he was keen so I’ve come here and I’m enjoying it again, I’m really glad I’ve come back.
“Hopefully we can go on and do big things.”
And after a lively performance in what was ultimately a disappointing draw at Haig Avenue Rowe says he’s just looking to add something to his game – goals. If only so he can shut another family member up!
“It could have been more than a point against Southport,” he recalled. “We had so many chances throughout the game, and I didn’t feel like they offered a threat throughout – they had maybe three chances but that’s it, that’s how strong we were.
“I had a good few chances myself, I should have come away with a goal. I should have chipped the second one over the keeper but I’d got a nudge and I didn’t get under it enough, I should have scored that one.
“I feel a lot more confident now but I want to be scoring. I’m happy getting assists but I want to get goals now. If I go home and my dad’s asking me how I went on, I’m sick of saying to him ‘I did alright but I didn’t score’."
Rowe has an FA Cup hat-trick to his name, against Vauxhall Motors in 2013
And he won't get the chance to find the net this weekend either, with Macc forced into inaction. While Askey's squad kick their collective heels this Saturday, they'll be hoping near neighbours Altrincham can do them a favour when they go to the Pirates. They'll also be keen to see fourth-placed Grimsby Town close the gap between them to five points. That would mean they've taken all three points from their trip to the leaders.
But while many of his team mates may relish the chance to rest up before embarking on the 12 games that remain, Rowe's tricky feet are getting itchy. After his lively show on the coast he wants to taste action again as soon as possible.
"I’d love to get the games in," he added. "I want to get them done as soon as possible, we want to win the league. A break might do a few of the lads good, those who’ve played a lot of games - a lot are a bit stiff so the break will do us good and we’ll come out stronger (at Eastleigh).
“The whole team’s on a high so hopefully I’ve come in and lifted us even more, we’ve got Moke on the right as well and if we’ve got two direct players a lot of teams push off us and lean back.
“It’s looking positive, we’ll just go on to the next one and look to get three points.”
