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  • "Answer to last post.

    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..."
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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 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 October last year he was rushed to hospital with a bleed on his brain after a fight outside a pub in Sturminster Marshall.

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.

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