David McAllan was due to fly back to Edinburgh after spending two weeks a body brace. David broke a bone in his spine after a crash when riding for Stoke at the Isle of Wight. Initally he declined to go to hospital but later went for an examination where the break was discovered.
After two weeks in a local hospital, David was considered fit enough to travel back to Edinburgh where his treatment will continue at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmiary. He was due to fly to Edinburgh on Tuesday.
David has been dogged by injury ever since he signed from Berwick at the start of last season. He injured his cruciate ligaments after an innocuous looking fall at Swindon. He returned to action in the Armadale leg of the Cup semi-final against Sheffield wearing a leg brace. However two falls riding for Linlithgow on the following Saturday and another fall against Glasgow on the Sunday convinced the Monarchs' promotion that his return was premature. Brian Turner was signed as cover. When Brian was himself was injured, David was unable to return due to the 1st September 'transfer deadline'. Monarchs had to struggle on using Conference League riders such as Gary Phelps, Aidan Collins, and Phil Ambrose. David made a couple of appearances in the Scottish Cup against Glasgow as well as riding for Linlithgow.
He had an operation on the injured knee at the start of the year but was not fit enough to be considered for the Monarchs 2000 team. He briefly replaced Brian Turner in the line-up but did not make an appearance for Monarchs before Will Beveridge came in with the new averages.
David appeared several times in the Conference League for the Lightning Ashfield Giants before signing on loan for Stoke to prove his race fitness but suffered his injury after a handful of appearances.
Let us hope that we see David at Armadale, albeit as a spectator before long. We can also hope that he is back riding for Lightning and Monarchs next season.