SITTINGBOURNE AC Assoicates Crusaders Speedway club have been dealt a blow with news that David McAllan will not be returning to the Old Gun Site.

McAllan blasted his way to 65 points in just four matches for the Iwade-based side and stormed to the top of the Conference averages.

But he was snapped up on a loan basis by Premier League side the Edinburgh Monarchs in May.

In 111 matches for the Scottish outfit, he averaged nearly seven points per meeting and qualified for his first ever British Championship final.

But the 25-year-old took the decision to stop riding for the season in the Premier League to prevent him having a prohibitively high average next year - 12 matches is the number necessary to have an average 'count' for future years' team strengths purposes.

Crusaders had high hopes he would return to them, but those hopes were dashed when rivals the Boston Barracuda Braves tempted him to the Kings Lynn Norfolk Arena.

Malcolm Vasey, Boston team manager, said: "David is delighted to join us and will ride in most of our remaining matches as we continue to find a way around the worst injury list in Speedway.

"I am delighted to have him back as he is also a personal friend and we have beaten at least three other clubs to his signature.

"David has been a heavy scorer this season and he feels that he is in the best form of his life.

"We will have to rotate the team when everyone is fit but that is better than doing nothing and winning nothing because of injuries."

Steve Ribbons, Sittingbourne's commercial manager, could not hide his disappointment.

He said: "I do feel that this is the most disappointing thing that's happened to the club all year and I am saddened by it; but I am not angry.

"We have nothing against David, who is one of he nicest guys you could ever wish to meet.

"However, we are disappointed with the actions of Boston - especially after it was this same club who now have another of our initial signings for 2004, James Cockle.

"It is especially galling to hear others talk about their 'horrendous injury list'. This is ridiculous when one considers that we as a club currently have Jordan Frampton, Ricky Scarboro, Nick Simmons and our captain Chris Hunt out with injuries.

"Now, win, lose or draw, the AC Associates Crusaders will only use riders in our team who want to ride for Sittingbourne Speedway."