Fylde striker Danny Rowe targets FA Cup shock against Wigan and a possible return to Manchester United

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Ask almost any footballer who he would like to draw in the third round of the FA Cup and the answer will be Manchester United at Old Trafford.

It is no different for AFC Fylde’s Danny Rowe, the scorer of 50 goals last season and the leader of the National League’s charts this campaign too.

But Rowe has an extra reason to hope Fylde follow Jose Mourinho’s United out of the hat, should they see off Wigan Athletic on Friday.

Fylde’s Danny Rowe hit 50 goals last season, and he is eyeing an FA Cup trip to Old Trafford

Rowe is a former United trainee who fell out of love with football when released at the age of 16 — a familiar story for many.

He left football, completing a three-year joinery apprenticeship on a building site. Yet now, more than a decade later, the 28-year-old is chasing the biggest of stages.

‘United at Old Trafford,’ Rowe answers when asked the obvious FA Cup question. ‘When I was released, I had to think about what to do. I could have carried on playing and gone to other clubs, but I didn’t feel it was right.

‘It was disappointing. It’s the club I support. I was down. I stopped playing. I didn’t want to play.’

Rowe is a former United trainee who fell out of love with football at 16

A few years later, Rowe turned out for 11th-tier Blackpool Wren Rovers, playing with pals and scoring for fun. His return to full-time football took him to Fleetwood Town, where he was team-mates with Jamie Vardy, and Lincoln City, who are now a source of inspiration.

Lincoln embarked on a lucrative run to the quarter-finals last season, losing to Arsenal but taking home almost £2million.

Fylde, who were only formed in 1988, tonight welcome League One leaders Wigan and the BBC television cameras to Mill Farm on the shoulder of the M55. The tie against the 2013 winners is worth around £200,000.

‘A lot of the lads know, if we’re truthful, that we won’t win the FA Cup,’ says Rowe, who scored twice in the first round as Fylde beat Kidderminster Harriers 4-2.

He scored 50 goals last season and leads the National League’s charts this campaign

‘You just have to try to get to some big places against big clubs, like Lincoln. It was unbelievable what they did, beating Burnley and Brighton. They even got promoted (to League Two).

‘I would expect a lot of people watching on TV would want Fylde to cause an upset. We’re confident. I think we can have a good run.’

Fylde’s owner, Lancashire businessman David Haythornthwaite, put together a 15-year plan in 2007 to get to the Football League by 2022. 

Five promotions later, with their average attendance having gone from 100 to 1,500, they are one promotion away from League Two — well ahead of schedule. 

The 28-year-old Fylde striker is chasing the biggest of stages in the FA Cup

Rowe, whom Sportsmail is following with Marathonbet in our Search for a Star, has only ever experienced non-League, turning down offers to stay with fifth-tier Fylde. One of those was from League One Oldham Athletic in the summer.

But the No 9 wants to make the move up sooner rather than later.

‘Do I think, at this moment, I’ve fulfilled my potential? No,’ he continues. ‘No matter what league I’m in, I always look to get to 30 goals by the end of the season.

‘I aimed for 30 last year and got 50. It is similar this year. I’ve set off well. I’m top scorer but if I miss chances I think about it for days. I’ve always been like that. I still kick myself over chances.’

As far as chances go, this is a big one. Fylde had never before made it to the second round of the FA Cup but, with their non-League goal machine, they are hopeful of making the third.

Marathonbet’s #NonLeagueChallenge is a nationwide competition to find the best goal celebration in non-League football, with the winners awarded £20,000 and a friendly against a team of Legends. nlc.marathonbet.co.uk