A ‘good test’ as Allan returns for Wick Academy after two years out
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Davie Allan described his return to competitive football on Saturday as “a good test” after making a welcome appearance in the closing stages of Wick Academy’s 1-1 draw with Banks O’ Dee.
It was Allan’s first Highland League match since suffering a serious injury to his left knee just over two years ago. The 34-year-old forward got a big cheer from the Harmsworth Park crowd as he came off the bench with about 15 minutes to go.
Allan immediately made his presence felt and caused a few problems for the Banks O’ Dee defence.
He suffered a ruptured patellar tendon during a 4-0 defeat at Inverurie in April 2022.
“It has been a long time coming but it was good to get back on the pitch,” Allan said.
“Obviously it has taken a wee bit longer than I thought it was going to take but I’ve worked hard to get to that point so it was good to actually just get on the pitch.
“I thought I’d just try to wire myself in, get in about and not worry about it. I fell on it at one point and banged it, so it was maybe a good thing that it happened so that in my head I could get through it.
“It was a good test for me today just to see what it was like on the pitch.
“I’m not going to pretend that it’s 100 per cent perfect, but wearing a support helps me a lot to get through. I don’t think I could play without that. It keeps my knee stable. There are a few things still not right in the way it moves.
“If everything goes all right then I would hope to bet back eventually. That’s the plan.
“Hopefully I’ll give it a good go at pre-season, then see what comes from that. I thought it was time I had to try. It went okay.”
Manager Gary Manson said: “He just makes such a difference. He’s a top, top player and we've missed him dramatically over the last two seasons.
“If he’s back in any capacity he’ll be a boost.”
In an interview at New Year, Allan said he was “desperate to get back”.
He signed for the club in 2008 and has now made 407 competitive appearances, scoring 159 goals in all competitions.
