AFC FYLDE chairman David Haythornthwaite insists the club did do their due diligence on controversial new manager James Rowe – and urged Coasters fans to get right behind him in a bid to “right the wrongs” of the past couple of seasons.
The 38-year-old is back in the manager’s dugout just a month after leaving Chesterfield by mutual consent amid allegations of misconduct.
Rowe forged a reputation as one of the Non-League game’s most promising young managers having impressed as assistant boss as Aldershot Town and then as number one at Gloucester City before departing to lead Chesterfield’s promotion push in the National League.
Last season they reached the play-offs and are flying high this year but, less than a month after playing Chelsea in the FA Cup third round, Rowe was suspended amid allegations of misconduct that have never been made public. He left the club at the start of February and has now been appointed as replacement for Jim Bentley, who was axed for a poor run.
Haythornthwaite insists Fylde have done their homework and Rowe is the right man to steer the club’s lofty ambitions.
“Over the last four days, we have had several meetings with James both face to face, and in my case, as I am away on business,” the Coasters chief said. “We have all been struck by James’s openness, burning ambition and desire to win.
“We have done our due dili-gence on James, and while it is clear he is no shrinking violet, we are confident that James will bring winning mentality to the club, which we all want.”
Haythornthwaite issued a rally cry to Fylde fans to get behind the new man and help the club in their promotion push.
He said: “Following the appointment of James Rowe, it’s time for a united effort by everyone both on and off the field to ensure we give ourselves every chance of securing promotion.
“I recognise fans have become frustrated, even disillusioned at times, and as a result, crowds and confidence have recently slowly crept down.
“So, it’s now time to put that behind us and look forward, grabbing the massive opportunity we still have, to right those past wrongs, with both hands.”
