Speedway star Darcy Ward fled police while drunk and on drugs (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Speedway star Darcy Ward fled police while drunk and on drugs
6:30am Thursday 21st February 2013 in News
Speedway star Darcy Ward fled police while drunk and on drugs
SPEEDWAY star Darcy Ward has been convicted of fleeing police on a motorbike while under the influence of drink and drugs, according to reports.
The 20-year-old Poole Pirates rider admitted a string of offences when he appeared in court in his native Australia, The Queensland Times newspaper has reported.
Now Pirates promoter Matt Ford fears his top rider may have problems getting a visa to return to the UK for the start of the season next month.
And he said Ward is “struggling with fame” and “needs professional help” to get his life back on track.
Ford, who said Ward has not contacted him about the court case, said: “People that can almost walk on water in sport do struggle.
“No one can condone what Darcy has done. He has been incredibly silly and I think the sooner he seeks professional help, the better.”
The report says Ward had been drinking and smoking marijuana when police attempted to pull him over in his home town of Camira in the early hours of the morning. He is alleged to have fled on an unregistered and uninsured motorbike but was later located by officers.
He is reported to have been fined $5,500, around £3,700 and been given a two-year disqualification.
When contacted by the Daily Echo, Pirates team manager Neil Middleditch said: “It is what most young people do these days isn't it? He wasn't racing or putting anyone else's life at risk on the track.
“It is just another silly mistake from Darcy - hopefully it won't have an effect on his riding.”
Ward hit the headlines last May when he was on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court for sexual assault, following a complaint made in August 2011.
He was cleared by a jury and spoke afterwards of what a burden the case had been.
In December Matt Ford said he was delighted to have signed Ward for another year but urged him to "grow up" .
Ward, twice world under-21 champion, is due to fly to England in the next few weeks and is expected to attend a Press and Practice Day on March 27, followed by the first meeting of the season, away to Swindon, the following day.
But on Monday Echo Sport reported he was already facing problems with his visa. Guidelines from the UK Border Agency indicate Ward could now be refused entry because of his conviction.
The relevant section says there can be “discretionary refusal of entry clearance where a person has been convicted of or admitted an offence for which they have received a non custodial sentence.”
This is his first season as a full-time Grand Prix rider and he also rides professionally in Poland.
More reaction from Matt Ford in Echo Sport.
Comments(36)
BIGTONE
says...
5:44pm Wed 20 Feb 13
What a pleb.
So it's ok to put people's lives at risk on the road is it?
slartybart
says...
5:54pm Wed 20 Feb 13
What a disgraceful and cowardly thing to do in order to try to diminish Ward's conduct.
Matt Ford should get him to publicly apologise to those he's slandered.
retry69
says...
5:58pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Telscombe Cliffy
says...
6:39pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Controversial But True
says...
7:01pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Send him packing back home!!
raywell
says...
7:03pm Wed 20 Feb 13
sully1202
says...
7:10pm Wed 20 Feb 13
boby
says...
8:37pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Roband65
says...
8:50pm Wed 20 Feb 13
gameon
says...
8:50pm Wed 20 Feb 13
BIGTONE wrote:I agree Big tone Middleditch Is a prize Pratt coming out with rubbish like that so in his eyes its ok for some Divo to be under the influence of drink or drugs in this case and drugs and drive a vehicle what an Idiot Thinking back wasnt Ward In the company of Middleditch and Ford when he got a seing to In the early hours at The winston churchill Stur Marshall Hours before a top meeting The Manager and The Promoter No better than Ward There are quite a few people at wimborne road that would be glad to see the back of messrs Ford Middleditch And Ward Two EGO TRIPPERS and A Kid who Thinks Hes IMMUNE From the LAW with statements like Middleditches can the Kid be blamed for thinking he is above the Law
When contacted by the Daily Echo, Pirates team manager Neil Middleditch said: “It is what most young people do these days isn't it? He wasn't racing or putting anyone else's life at risk on the track.
What a pleb.
So it's ok to put people's lives at risk on the road is it?
boby
says...
8:50pm Wed 20 Feb 13
Role models ???.
It would be nice to put an end to setting bad examples in society. I hope Matt shows some real strength, and doesnt brush it of and come up with some lame excuse as why they should keep him.Lets see ???
boyerboy
says...
9:31pm Wed 20 Feb 13
A great sport but less teams/ silly rules and less top riders.....sad, very sad.
lionheart
says...
10:28pm Wed 20 Feb 13
jakeysredd
says...
10:32pm Wed 20 Feb 13
jayphotofinish
says...
11:01pm Wed 20 Feb 13
You can twist perceptions but reality won't budge.
I used to be involved at Poole doing a job that I had always wanted, but for many reasons decided to jump ship as I felt that the sport was in such serious decline that my efforts were best employed elsewhere. I'm not a prophet but could see the writing on the wall with the quantity of adverse publicity that was being banded about
in the press, social networking sites & on the grapevine. Not been to a meeting since April of last year, so have joined the exodus of fans & sponsors who have, not surprisingly lost interest & do other things with their time & cash. And I thought that it was a family sport? Alas, no more -unless you're off your head , driving or riding a bike without insurance that is.
The way forward IMO would be to impose a heavy club fine on the rider, who shouldn't be beyond reproach, despite his undoubted talents on a speedway bike. Unless punished most re-offend-fact. Adopt a zero tolerance stance on any rider who falls to conduct himself in a proper manner whilst contracted to the club, ensure that they have their own agent/adviser- thats a must. Not just rider's by the sound of things either, with very foolish comments that were not thought through coming from the team manager also. Come on guys get your act together, you're a laughing stock. Most speedway riders aren't recognized when they are out of the stadium so fame doesn't really come into it. No excuses....
Ginger-nutz
says...
11:41pm Wed 20 Feb 13
.
They are both as bad as each other...
.
Dumb and Dumber comes to mind....
.
Call yourself pirates.....More like Cap'n pugwash and seaman staines :-)
jayphotofinish
says...
12:53am Thu 21 Feb 13
billd766
says...
1:55am Thu 21 Feb 13
You are the manager Niel and I am sure that when riders sign a contract they are told to be clean. If he didn't sign then sue him for breach of contract.
YOU are the manager Neil and YOU are his boss, not his minder, nanny or his Mummy.
When he comes back bench him for 5 matches without pay and if he doesn't come back sue him for breach of contract and get him blacklisted.
rozmister
says...
9:50am Thu 21 Feb 13
I won't even have one glass of wine and drive because I'm not confident how much would take me over the limit so I figure the safest amount is none.
The only young people drink driving are idiots and it's people come out with absolute bull about how it's "what young people do" who excuse and facilitate their behaviour.
Darcy Ward has shown a pattern of irresponsible behaviour in the last year - making poor decisions that lead him into trouble. He should take a season out to sort himself out, grow up and get his head together. He's no good to anyone if he keeps up this kind of rubbish especially with a manager who sees nothing wrong with it.
Melanie.Read12
says...
10:22am Thu 21 Feb 13
rozmister wrote:I couldn't agree more.
I'm a young person and I've never take drugs/drunk and driven/ridden a motorbike.
I won't even have one glass of wine and drive because I'm not confident how much would take me over the limit so I figure the safest amount is none.
The only young people drink driving are idiots and it's people come out with absolute bull about how it's "what young people do" who excuse and facilitate their behaviour.
Darcy Ward has shown a pattern of irresponsible behaviour in the last year - making poor decisions that lead him into trouble. He should take a season out to sort himself out, grow up and get his head together. He's no good to anyone if he keeps up this kind of rubbish especially with a manager who sees nothing wrong with it.
QP-retired
says...
10:24am Thu 21 Feb 13
He is a young kid with too much money from his sporting achievements and very little good advice and guidance. I hope, if he's allowed back in the UK, that some of his personal sponsors withhold their cash. Its good to read that the Poole club are suggesting he go to the Tony Adams Sporting Chance Clinic for 'treatment' - maybe some of his sponsors' money can go towards that!
jasperwasp
says...
12:03pm Thu 21 Feb 13
jasperwasp
says...
12:03pm Thu 21 Feb 13
exsparks
says...
12:21pm Thu 21 Feb 13
Angrydolphin
says...
12:22pm Thu 21 Feb 13
keith milton
says...
1:26pm Thu 21 Feb 13
i wish people vented this much anger at politicians,who commit far far worse crimes,and continue to get away with it.
but then we do have a country of politically correct sheep don't we.
thereader
says...
3:31pm Thu 21 Feb 13
And I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers the Danny Bird issue a few years back?
**** shame that Darcy is ruining his future with stupid decisions that lead to this incident.
GAHmusic
says...
6:01pm Thu 21 Feb 13
boby
says...
8:47pm Thu 21 Feb 13
Integrity of the whole club is slowly diminishing. I think the crowds will slowly go down the drain. Who would want to be associated with such trash.
I feel sorry for any company sponsoring the club. Its time matt looked at his business and see what is actually damaging it. Beggars belief, that other individual who came up with the comments. Well shame on you, embarrassing.If the crowds now leave the club, you will know the reason why
tim m
says...
8:53pm Thu 21 Feb 13
lionheart wrote:Why?
If he does comeback to the UK he should have a community service order to serve in the UK.
gameon
says...
11:07pm Thu 21 Feb 13
billd766 wrote:And if you think that middleditch would do what your suggesting Then beleive that pigs can fly and Lord lucan is stacking shelves in Asda Middleditch is hardly a role model for anyone let alone ward who lives with him and socialises with him Fighting at Stur Marshall etc etc etc why do True speedway fans want him back in the country when he is Blackening the name Of Speedway fast losing its Tag of a Family Sport ,and the comments of his so called manager condoning his drunk and Drugged actions
I can remember Neil's Dad Ken when he was racing and I have no doubt that Neil wouldn't have done anything like that.
You are the manager Niel and I am sure that when riders sign a contract they are told to be clean. If he didn't sign then sue him for breach of contract.
YOU are the manager Neil and YOU are his boss, not his minder, nanny or his Mummy.
When he comes back bench him for 5 matches without pay and if he doesn't come back sue him for breach of contract and get him blacklisted.
gameon
says...
11:21pm Thu 21 Feb 13
jayphotofinish wrote:Well said Jay Trouble is when the manager comes out with a supportive comment and the promoter is sort of half distancing himself then theres no chance of disciplinary action They look upon Ward as a points winner if this was a lower order Rider they would have hung him out to dry one would hope ???????
Why doesn't this surprise me.!?
You can twist perceptions but reality won't budge.
I used to be involved at Poole doing a job that I had always wanted, but for many reasons decided to jump ship as I felt that the sport was in such serious decline that my efforts were best employed elsewhere. I'm not a prophet but could see the writing on the wall with the quantity of adverse publicity that was being banded about
in the press, social networking sites & on the grapevine. Not been to a meeting since April of last year, so have joined the exodus of fans & sponsors who have, not surprisingly lost interest & do other things with their time & cash. And I thought that it was a family sport? Alas, no more -unless you're off your head , driving or riding a bike without insurance that is.
The way forward IMO would be to impose a heavy club fine on the rider, who shouldn't be beyond reproach, despite his undoubted talents on a speedway bike. Unless punished most re-offend-fact. Adopt a zero tolerance stance on any rider who falls to conduct himself in a proper manner whilst contracted to the club, ensure that they have their own agent/adviser- thats a must. Not just rider's by the sound of things either, with very foolish comments that were not thought through coming from the team manager also. Come on guys get your act together, you're a laughing stock. Most speedway riders aren't recognized when they are out of the stadium so fame doesn't really come into it. No excuses....
jayphotofinish
says...
12:58am Fri 22 Feb 13
Yea, needs to be more cohesion & everyone pulling in the same direction in my books... singing from the same hymn book too, as this very immature but supremely gifted rider needs a role model & not someone who is always leaping to his defense which only justifies in his own mind that everything will be ok after all every-time he does anything wrong. Strong leadership & a firm hand is needed. Raw talent, of which Ward has in abundance, especially needs to be channeled-look at how Gary Mcalister & the Liverpool hierarchy turned a headstrong, arrogant(comes with youth) Steven Gerrard into the player that he is now. Things go from bad to worse when you venture across to the mirkier side of life & when you hang out with the wrong crowd you free-fall rapidly, especially if you have the magnet of riches beyond your early dreams & loads of impressionable mates who want to help you spend it on everything that takes your fancy. Very surprised that no one closely involved with him hasn't seen this & the need to act on it. This hasn't been put in place yet which is a no brainer as I would certainly want to protect my investment from outside influences for sure.
I keep a professional distance from my clients/customers & would never encourage preferential treatment or privileges which happens a lot at Poole. Needless to say its highly unlikely that I would ever be taking photo's there again, got some good ones though in my time there, but thanks to my up bringing I have principles and integrity, a spine & not a blind obedience to follow, speak out or rock the boat. I like change....a lot don't. Speedway needs to change.
Lets hope Matt takes on board the general consensus of opinion that this
has caused & stops backing losing horses, protect the history of this famous club & put a line under this once & for all & go without him for at least this year with conditions in place for 2014 if reformed. Then concentrate on wrestling the EL title from Swindon as the season is fast approaching, they are in the ascendancy & now the team to beat IMO. My money, like last season is on them again this year. Thats me done- said all I want to on this matter, so don't expect another post, on this sorry matter at least....we all feel compelled to write some times, & its good to exercise our freedom of speech. Cycling is my sport these days & good to see the 'backing of the Brits' paying off, with all their success.To think that once upon a time top team speedway in England was called the British League -happy days...
jayphotofinish
says...
10:11am Fri 22 Feb 13
He was controlling a flat out wheelie mid corner & instead of throttling off the gas, upper body strength & balance took care of the 'bucking bronco' that is a speedway machine. Lets hope that this is not just a memory of this fallen idol that many 'Pirate's fans have of him.
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Wedding Services. And take a look.
If tomorrow never comes!!
says...
7:48pm Fri 1 Mar 13
keith milton wrote:I agree with you.
just a young man having fun,stop being hypocrites,we've all been there.
i wish people vented this much anger at politicians,who commit far far worse crimes,and continue to get away with it.
but then we do have a country of politically correct sheep don't we.
So many judgemental people with a lot to say for themselves.
I dont condone his actions, but then i dont intend to judge him as i dont know him or the facts. If you all believe that you are so superior why are you passing judgement on him. I for one would like to see him back in the uk, and i certainly wont be in the crowd expressing disgust towards him. Basically dont judge others because one day your kids may possibly embarrass you.
Couchy125 says...
5:40pm Wed 20 Feb 13