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Wick Academy's Davie Allan will take it 'step by step' as he recovers from serious knee injury





Davie Allan receiving his Wick Academy Supporters' Player of the Year award from the club's vice-chairman Stewart Gunn. Picture: Alan Hendry
Davie Allan receiving his Wick Academy Supporters' Player of the Year award from the club's vice-chairman Stewart Gunn. Picture: Alan Hendry

Wick Academy's Davie Allan is confident that he will make a full recovery from the serious knee injury that brought his Highland League season to a premature end.

The 32-year-old forward says he will take it "step by step" as he continues his recuperation after he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon during a match at Inverurie on April 2. He underwent an operation at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness two days later.

Allan was speaking on Saturday after being named as Supporters' Player of the Year. Votes were taken before Academy's last game of the season, at home to Huntly.

He received 58 votes, one ahead of midfielder Jack Halliday.

Using crutches, and with his left leg in a brace, Allan was able to go onto the pitch to receive the trophy from the club's vice-chairman Stewart Gunn.

Addressing team-mates and spectators, Allan modestly suggested that he would have earned a few “sympathy votes” as a result of his injury.

Speaking afterwards, Allan said: “The surgeon who did the operation was really positive and he said there should be no problem with it healing back to 100 per cent as it was, and no problem going back to sport. That was a good thing to hear just before leaving the hospital – it was a good boost.

“I will take it step by step. I've got to be in this brace for six weeks and then see where I go from there.”

Meanwhile, Allan has been encouraged to see some of the club's teenagers getting their chance in the first team.

“It's good we've got the young players in,” he said. “It's probably something we haven't really had in a few years, getting quality young players through.

“They are good lads this year and they're good players, so if they keep going I think the future will be bright for the club.”

Allan made his 400th competitive appearance for Academy in February, scoring one of the goals in a 3-2 win against Fort William.

He signed for the club in 2008 and has scored 159 goals in all competitions, including 10 this season.

Alan Mathieson being presented with the Wick Academy Youth Player of the Year trophy by player/manager Gary Manson at the end of Saturday's game against Huntly.
Alan Mathieson being presented with the Wick Academy Youth Player of the Year trophy by player/manager Gary Manson at the end of Saturday's game against Huntly.

Academy's Youth Player of the Year award was also handed over at the end of Saturday's game, which Academy lost 4-2 after being ahead twice in the first half. The winner was 17-year-old striker Alan Mathieson, who received his trophy from player/manager Gary Manson.

Club chairman Pat Miller praised the players and the coaching team for their "outstanding" efforts during a season in which they had to contend with unprecedented numbers of injuries. Miller also pointed out that it was the first time the club had gone through a full Highland League campaign without a single weather-related postponement at Harmsworth Park, following major investment in pitch improvements last summer.

Steven Anderson celebrating a goal in a 4-3 away win against Deveronvale in January. He won the club's Golden Boot award for top scorer. Picture: Mel Roger
Steven Anderson celebrating a goal in a 4-3 away win against Deveronvale in January. He won the club's Golden Boot award for top scorer. Picture: Mel Roger

Other awards were announced at Academy's end-of-season function in Mackays Hotel on Saturday evening when the guest speaker was Inverness Caledonian Thistle's sporting director John Robertson.

Winners were:

  • Supporters' Player of the Year: Davie Allan
  • Players' Player of the Year: Davie Allan
  • John Henderson Shield for Young Player of the Year: Joe Anderson
  • Bill Mackay Memorial Golden Boot Award (top scorer): Steven Anderson, 11 goals.
  • Michael McNeil Trophy for Goal of the Season: Jack Halliday (v Fort William in October)
  • Dot McLachlan Trophy for Most Improved Player: Alan Hughes
  • Dan Thomson Trophy for Youth Player of the Year: Alan Mathieson

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