BWitcher

Although Humphrey, we only have Darcy's word for that don't we? The initial report painted a slightly different picture, in that he was initially on the road, and only headed into the parkland when the police arrived.

You seem hellbent on seeing Darcy throw away his career. As the above is precisely the attitude that will lead to that happening. Fortunately there are others who will do their utmost to ensure he stays on track. I do believe he can learn and move on. Time will tell.

Very true, I'm by no means saying it will be easy. Just illustrating that its possible as a naysayer seemed to find it laughable. Strangely they've gone quiet now though.

An expected response, which pretty much backs up we were correct regarding your previous post.

Says what a sad life you must lead.

Here's an idea, if you don't like a service, don't use it. Simple. The reality is, as much as a few people on here complain they don't like football, the overwhelming majority of Sky Sports subscribers DO. Sky pay what they need to pay for the football rights because without them, their channels would sink quicker than the Titanic.

That doesn't put anything into perspective. Many people who drink and drive don't kill anyone, perhaps we should let them carry on until they do? Agree with the rest of what you say.

An explanation of being found guilty, with no conviction:- In the courts, lawyers often argue that their client should be spared a criminal record by "avoiding a conviction". Lawyers will submit that the court should not record a conviction as this may hamper their client's job prospects. Magistrates and Judges will sometimes act on these submissions as a measure of lenience to the offender if this is seen to be in the public interest. Victorian sentencing law requires the courts to take these issues into account. Victorian law permits courts to find a person guilty of an offence but not proceed to record a conviction. This can be done when adjourning a case on condition of good behaviour or when giving a fine or correction order. A conviction must be recorded when a more severe penalty is imposed, such as a sentence of imprisonment. If the court is considering whether or not to record a conviction, the law states that all circumstances of the case must be considered when making the decision. These circumstances include the nature of the offence, the character and past history of the offender and the impact of recording of a conviction on the offender's economic or social well-being or employment prospects (s.8 Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic) ("Sentencing Act"). This statement of legal principle may give the impression that not recording a conviction will protect the offender from harm to their social well-being or employment prospects. Unfortunately this is not always so. Under the Victoria Police policy relating to criminal records, employers and others you authorise to access or receive your police record will be informed of findings of guilt made against you, regardless of whether a conviction is recorded or not. Police may also list an offence on your record if you have been charged and the case is awaiting hearing, or even if you are only a suspect under investigation. Link to the information:-http://www.lawhandbook.org.au/handbook/ch04s06s01.php

And still some folk want to just drag it on and on and on. You're doing the lad no favours. He's held his hands up and admitted he did wrong. Move on.

Yes. Darcy Ward pleaded guilty. Darcy has done the right thing by issuing a statement and apologising for his actions. Its a shame some of his sycophants can't accept, as he seems to have done, that he has done wrong. As Darcy himself has admitted, he wasn't just riding his bike on some parkland. In his statement he admits riding his bike (and if he is fleeing from the police, which you conveniently ignore, it will be at some speed) down an alleyway. Hardly 'parkland'.

It's all ok as Darcy co-operated with the police once they had discovered his location. After all, he could have got involved in a shoot-out with them, fled out the back door, all things that kids do today. In all seriousness, he has done the right thing (whether prompted or not) and addressed the issue and most importantly apologised for his actions. It should also be noted that previous 'bans' have been when riders have been caught racing speedway with drugs in their system, so they don't apply to this situation. Sadly, Darcy's team manager has thus far failed to come forward with a statement of his own to put to bed his own comments.

Yep. Fined £4000 for nothing. Maybe you should email Matt Ford with your 'thoughts' too.

Absolutely spot on. I suggest Starman considers the comments of Mr Ford.. then considers his (Starmans) defence of Mr Middleditch... then considers this post from Lioness. Might be asking too much though...

Yes, I can categorically state 100% that I would make a better job of knowing the rules than Middleditch if that was my job. Says the man talking behind his computer screen...........

Middleditch has done nothing to help the situation apart from some jibberish about him being 'misquoted'. In cases like this, if it's true, you will get a retraction from the newspaper.. has that happened? No, in fact quite the opposite. An immediate clarification from the paper that they stand by the quotes. Middleditch has failed to explain his comments. He has not denied he made the comments. He has failed to come out and condemn Ward for his actions. All points towards the fact he blundered badly and he knows it. As for not knowing the rules Starman.. what a feeble argument you put forward. Its his JOB. His JOB is to know the rules and to know them when 'under pressure' as you call it. If he can't manage it, which you seem to be acknowledging that he can't, he's not fit for the role is he? Glad you don't rarely post on here if thats the standard of your posting. You are claiming that 'the decent kids' ride unregistered, uninsured bikes whilst drunk AND stoned, flee from the police by riding said bike onto a pavement and across a park? That's not having fun, thats being an irresponsible idiot who puts the lives of others at risk. If you condone that, that says all we need to know about you and your character. Thankfully, you are very much in the minority.

Codswallop. Matt Ford had no problems with telling it like it is.

That's not the issue as SCB has explained.

Yes, in a tweet. Not a dickie bird about what he actually said or meant then. I highly doubt the whole phrase would have been made up by the reporter.

Says who? Would take one hell of a 'misquote' to change that statement around. Or are you accusing the reporter of lying?

There are only two people speaking rubbish. Yourself and Neil Middleditch. The rest of the world, including the promoter of your club Matt Ford are talking sense.

We're making progress. So if they haven't made it up... what does that leave us with...

Mr Rising, do you not think it is of interest to the Speedway Star to investigate the comments attributed to the National Team Manager? At the very least to give him a chance to tell his side of the story, as the current picture does not portray him very well.

His reaction is "Get of your high horses #learnthefacts" Not exactly helping the situation.

So your claim is that Ford was interviewed by the Sports dept, Middleditch wasn't. Fords comments were accurately portrayed, Middleditches were made up? Middleditch is doing himself no favors by telling people to 'get of there high horse' on twitter. I highly doubt that the reporter 'made up' the comments attributed to Middledith. Middleditch should simply explain the context in which the quotes were made (if indeed the context is different to that portrayed in the story).

Fully agree 21CH. Well said Matt Ford, let's hope some assistance can be given to Darcy, it would be a shame to see such talent go to waste.