DARCY Ward delivered an emotionally-charged address to Wimborne Road at his benefit meeting on Wednesday.

The Pirates asset was speaking publicly for the first time since a crash in August left him with serious spinal injuries.

To view all the images from the benefit meeting click here

Queenslander Ward was pushed onto the home straight in a wheelchair after heat 10, with fans chanting his name before breaking into cheers and applause.

Fighting back tears, Ward told presenter Nigel Leahy: "Honestly, it's really overwhelming. I'm stoked that people have shown so much support.

"I'd like to say thanks to my family whose support has been the most important thing so far.

"I see all the videos on Twitter of everyone chanting (my name), which is pretty cool, so big thanks for that.

"That's been a big part of keeping me going and trying to get through it.

"(The injuries) are only slightly better. It's been six weeks so it's early days.

"The back injury is pretty severe but I've got to keep pushing and we will see what we can do."

Ward thanked a number of individuals including girlfriend Lizzie, Pirates team manager Neil Middleditch, Poole promoter Matt Ford, close pal Chris Holder and Australia boss Mark Lemon.

The 23-year-old was then presented with a book of friendship which included messages from reams of fans, while a representative from Ward’s Swedish club, Piraterna, handed over a donation of around £26,000.

The meeting was an occasion that stirred considerable emotion in all who attended, whether it be supporters, riders or officials. The rammed stand on the home straight and packed perimeter fences told a story of the speedway family at its finest.

At 5.30pm, a full two hours before the start of the meeting, queues were already lengthy, with hundreds of supporters patiently lining the car park in order to make sure they were able to secure their spots.

Outside the stadium, roads were choked up as car after car piled into the venue. Everyone had just one thought on their minds – Darcy.

You could be forgiven for thinking that you had missed the grand final, such was the swell of interest, but this was a meeting that had very little, if anything, to do with racing.

And while there might have been nothing riding on it in terms of prestige, there was plenty riding on it for Ward.

A man who had provided countless stunning displays around the famous Dorset track now needed the circuit to give him something back – and give back it did.

Pirates chief Ford had already generously agreed that the club would underwrite the cost of staging the meeting so that every penny raised could go to Ward.

And every effort was made to pull in the punters with a range of merchandise designed to raise vital cash, the public gladly parting with their money for the benefit of the club favourite.

Such actions may not turn the clock back – which is everyone’s wish – but there is a lot to be said for this kind of unstinting support. Whether it be a £10 donation to the care of Ward, or a message of support, everything helps.

It was certainly a blessing that a field of such high quality was assembled.

Among the riders for Team Janowski were the Pirates skipper of the same name, Patryk Dudek and Shamek Pawlicki, while included in Team Monster were Chris Holder, Greg Hancock and Josh Grajczonek.

For what it was worth, the meeting was a close one and ended in a 49-40 victory for Team Janowski.

Dudek served notice of his potential with four straight race wins, the Pole top-scoring for the victorious side.

Maciej Janowski was a surprise faller in heat one but the Poole captain went on to reel off three straight wins and leave in no doubt his considerable skill on his home circuit.

For Team Monster, Hancock, Batchelor and Jack Holder mustered seven points apiece, no rider managing to hit double figures for the losing team.

Ultimately, the result was of no importance. The aim was to raise money for Ward and the aim was achieved.

Now the Pirates faithful, alongside the speedway world at large, will return to crossing fingers for an incredible talent.

RIDERS' SCORES AND HEAT DETAILS

Team Magic 49: 1 Maciej Janowski (fx-3-3-3) 9, 2 Davey Watt (1-3-r-r) 4, 3 Patryk Dudek (3-3-3-3) 12, 4 Przemek Pawlicki (3-0-3-2*) 8+1, 5 Andreas Jonsson (0-1-1-1-3) 6, 6 Dakota North (f-1-2-1) 4,7 Brady Kurtz (3-0-0-3-0) 6. Captain: Maciej Janowski. Team manager: Karen Tracey.

Team Monster 40: 1 Chris Holder (3-1*-2-0) 6+1, 2 Nick Morris (2*-2-2-f) 6+1, 3 Troy Batchelor (2-2-1*-0-2) 7+1, 4 Bjarne Pedersen (1*-0-3-1) 5+1, 5 Greg Hancock (1*-2-2-2) 7+1, 6 Josh Grajczonek (r-0-1*-0-1*) 2+2, 7 Jack Holder (2-2-1-2) 7. Captain: Chris Holder. Team manager: Ben and Dave Cole.

HEAT DETAILS

Ht 1: (re-run x2) C Holder, Morris, Watt, Janowski (fell, excluded), 60.56 (1-5)

Ht 2: Kurtz, J Holder, North (fell), Grajczonek (retired), 61.80 (4-7)

Ht 3: Dudek, Batchelor, Hancock, Jonsson, 60.96 (7-10)

Ht 4: Pawlicki, J Holder, Pedersen, Kurtz, 61.80 (10-13)

Ht 5: Watt, Morris, North, Grajczonek, 61.40 (14-15)

Ht 6: Dudek, Hancock, C Holder, Pawlicki, 61.89 (17-18)

Ht 7: Janowski, Batchelor, Jonsson, Pedersen, 61.22 (21-20)

Ht 8: Pawlicki, Morris, Grajczonek, Kurtz, 61.33 (24-23)

Ht 9: Pedersen, North, J Holder, Watt (retired), 62.03 (26-27)

Ht 10: Dudek, C Holder, Jonsson, Morris (fell), awarded (30-29)

Ht 11: Janowski, Hancock, Batchelor, Watt (retired), 61.62 (33-32)

Ht 12: Kurtz, J Holder, North, Grajczonek, 62.44 (37-34)

Ht 13: Janowski, Hancock, Jonsson, C Holder, 61.57 (41-36)

Ht 14: Dudek, Pawlicki, Pedersen, Batchelor, 62.07 (46-37)

Ht 15: Jonsson, Batchelor, Grajczonek, Kurtz, 61.71 (49-40)

Ht 16: Not contested.

ECHO STAR RIDER – PATRYK DUDEK

POSSIBLY the least-known name on the scorecard but 23-year-old Dudek took the meeting by storm.

Not only did he gate with deadly pace and poise, the Pole extended his lead lap after lap in each of his races.

In flashes, Somerset wonderkid Brady Kurtz impressed with a good racing line while Jack Holder looked a chip off the block with a touch of Vaclav Milik’s fearless spirit thrown in.

A mention for Darcy Ward, too. How he held it together to get any words out is anyone’s guess. #StayStrongDarcy