SPD444 Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 There is an interesting comparison here with a certain footballer who went round biting opponents. On the first occasion his club made the similar sort of "excuses" we heard regarding Darcy. However, on the second occasion, they got rid. This guy was a big,big star apparently but not bigger than the reputation of the club, Liverpool, or the league. Pity Mr Ford did not emulate said football team and let everyone know that the club and the sport is bigger than any one rider, not matter how good he thinks he is. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 DESOLATE team boss Neil Middleditch was unsparing in his criticism of Poole Pirates captain Darcy Ward who was today suspended indefinitely from all speedway. The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) issued Ward with a blanket ban some 11 days after his failed alcohol test prior to the Latvian Grand Prix. Ward's case has been referred to the FIMs International Disciplinary Court with the Australian star unable to compete before they reach their verdict. There has been no indication as to how long that could take. Middleditch pulled no punches over his talismans actions and also launched a scathing attack on the FIM after their delayed decision over Ward left Pirates no time to find a suitable replacement. Pooles team manager revealed that promoter Matt Ford had exhausted all suitable options in his quest to replace Ward before the Elite League deadline for re-declared teams passes at midnight. Pirates will now have to manage with guests as they seek to successfully defend their top flight crown, a prospect Middleditch insists should have been avoided. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Middleditch said: I dont condone Darcys actions at all and he needs to be punished but their (the FIMs) handling of the case has been diabolical and very amateurish. If they were going to suspend him they should have done so straight away which would have given us the chance to get something in place. Were in the business of trying to win the league and this is a massive blow to us. You just cant replace someone like Darcy Ward, its not that simple. Im devastated that the title race could slip away from us now. Were not throwing in the towel and will keep fighting but our options are limited. I feel sick to my stomach. I feel so disappointed in his (Wards) actions. He has been in enough trouble in the past and should have learned his lesson by now. Hes let me down personally and hes let down the club, the supporters and himself. He could potentially have been world champion this year and now that he has lost that opportunity. Hes a grown man and should know what he cant do. He knows the rules and now hes being punished for it. I dont know how far over (the alcohol limit) he was but he was. Thats the bottom line. Its a crying shame because the kid is one of the best talents I can remember seeing on a bike but dare I say it, hes wasting it. On Pooles next step, Middleditch added: I think were looking at guests. The riders we wanted were not available, didnt want to do it or were focused on the Grand Prix as their main goal." Blimey, that is a bit different from what he said at the time. Thought that too. Maybe because the excuse mitigating circumstances Ward claimed to have weren't so mitigating after all, his landlord is trying to save face. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 He didn't ride enough meetings which is why he's still on assessed 8 points!! Wouldn't that now change like Piotr Pawlicki average was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndbendbeerhut Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 So Ward's been suspended (finally) and it seems that Poole have been unable to get a suitable replacement. Do Poole get a guest facilty for him or would it be a PL 6 pinter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdmc82 Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 So Ward's been suspended (finally) and it seems that Poole have been unable to get a suitable replacement. Do Poole get a guest facilty for him or would it be a PL 6 pinter? guest facility as not their fault he can't ride Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Ok. I do not have access to the averages. Maybe MF will drop 2 riders to fit Holder / Hancock with A.N.Other.Would mean dropping magic or pawlicki for a three pointer, so would make no sense.Ok. I do not have access to the averages. Maybe MF will drop 2 riders to fit Holder / Hancock with A.N.Other.Would mean dropping magic or pawlicki for a three pointer, so would make no sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 (edited) I'm sure most people on the forum feel sorry for Middlo and Ford. :shock: :shock: Mr. Middleditch says :- "Hes a grown man and should know what he cant do. He knows the rules and now hes being punished for it. I dont know how far over (the alcohol limit) he was but he was. Thats the bottom line." You and Mr. Ford also know the rules and have known this for nearly two weeks now. As you say, it doesn't matter how far over the limit he was, the fact is he was, end of. He is a disgrace to Poole and Speedway and the management (You) should have sacked him and then you would have had two weeks to find a replacement for him. Sorry, Mr Middleditch, you have gone down in my eyes. Middlo should have said this earlier - but crucially he didn't. What he did say, it is alleged, is that he (Middlo) hoped that he (Ward) would 'get away with it'. Obviously he has seen the light. Edited August 28, 2014 by The White Knight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badge Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 PL 6 pinter? Lol very clever 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 .....Yerropes....No one wants to see even more guests.. Especially if it is a rider from a team fighting for a place in the play-offs helping a rival team. Makes the whole guest rider thing a mockery. Oh.....wait a minute.....it is anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wealdstone Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 So Ward gets his comeuppance at last. Fortunately the ban comes direct from FIM. I have no doubt that had it come from a lesser body Poole and Ford would have pulled some stunt to nullify it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 The only people i feel sorry for are Wards parents.They spent a lot of time and money in supporting his career in the early days.I met darcy's dad in Denmark on his first visit to Europe and the trip had cost a good whack.Now to add further to the trouble of going through a break-up,they have their son letting them down big time yet again. I don't. Where were they when he needed guidance here? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Smith Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 I think the FIM are playing a game here. They may have Ward's legal team stating issues with the test. So what do they do? Suspend him until they investigate the legal claim which will run to the end of the season then clear him for the start of 2015. A classic game of chess 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 I don't. Where were they when he needed guidance here? I Think they left it to that father figure Muddlo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblueboy Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 So Ward's been suspended (finally) and it seems that Poole have been unable to get a suitable replacement. Do Poole get a guest facilty for him or would it be a PL 6 pinter? Birks - seems a rather apt replacement and would fulfil the criteria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 I don't. Where were they when he needed guidance here? He's 22 and has chosen to live on the other side of the world. You cant blame them for not being there to hold his hand all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 but his dad is over here, and has been for some time 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 but his dad is over here, and has been for some timeYou still can't blame the dad for darcy having too many beers on a Saturday night, surely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 He's 22 and has chosen to live on the other side of the world. You cant blame them for not being there to hold his hand all the time. That's not what I meant. Where were they when he was 16,17 etc? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derwent Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Not sure why Middlo is blaming the FIM for Poole not getting a replacement. In his own words the riders they wanted either were unavailable or didn't want to do it. Not sure how knowing about the ban earlier would have changed that situation ? So in effect he's blaming the FIM for Poole not being able to get a replacement that they didn't want anyway ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted August 29, 2014 Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 That's not what I meant. Where were they when he was 16,17 etc? Probably on the other side of the world, as Darcy was 16/17 when he first came over to England. I Don't know if either or both parents came over with him then, though. Perhaps someone can confirm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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