BWitcher Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 I think you should read the article again in full!! Typical Mirror - where has it ever been claimed he was on a 'boozy night out with pals' other than by some on here?? I mean its not as if they or any other 'red top' actually had a reporter out there to cover the meeting let alone be out and about in Latvia!! Well lets try and put this together.. He was out.. at night.. so that's the night out part covered.. He was one 'assumes' with pals, rather than on his own or strangers.. but perhaps that could be contested.. He failed an alcohol test the next day so a decent amount of 'booze' was involved. So yes, a description of a boozy night out with pals pretty much fits. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PHILIPRISING Posted August 18, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) IN what seems like a million years ago when I was a soccer scribe I spent a great deal of time watching George Best's career go down the tubes ... I was angry that I was being denied the chance to enjoy and write about a football genius. Best actually spent some of his last, sad days sitting on his own in a Surbiton pub near our office. I feel much the same about Ward now. I don't pretend to be close to him, generations apart, but I sat behind him on the flight back from Riga this morning and couldn't help but feel sorry for the lad. He has been foolish and stupid (again) but there should be no rejoicing in his downfall. We are all the losers, as we were with Best. Edited August 18, 2014 by PHILIPRISING 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 You mean Nicki doesn't have alcohol as a reason for the way he rides????? My goodness, it is all just down to him then!!!! Incidentally for all those comparing DW's reaction to 'bad news' with the likes of 'do no wrong' Woffinden, as Woffy himself said in his TV documentary, he went right off the rails and almost didn't return to UK racing! We all know exactly what Woffindens 'bad news' was and saw him living it in the public eye. I didn't see him failing any tests though. With Ward, as it stands, its just an excuse. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Maybe they spoke to some others who were in Latvia? Who knows - but it distinctly lacks any info on "mitigating" circumstance Just as well they didn't speak to Scott Nicholls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 SPEEDWAY riders like other sportsmen are subject to random drug tests at any given moment even at home or away from a speedway track. I believe Woffinden has taken and passed at least three this year. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scribbler Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 IN what seems like a million years ago when I was a soccer scribe I spent a great deal of time watching George Best's career go down the tubes ... I was angry that I was being denied the chance to enjoy and write about a football genius. Best actually spent some of his last, sad days sitting on his own in a Surbiton pub near our office. I feel much the same about Ward now. I don't pretend to be close to him, generations apart, but I sat behind him on the flight back from Riga this morning and couldn't help but feel sorry for the lad. He has been foolish and stupid (again) but there should be no rejoicing in his downfall. We are all the losers, as we were with Best. I don't think people are rejoicing ... I (and probably others) am frustrated that people seem to think that his behaviour is normal and that a ban is a harsh punishment. It might be normal for some youngsters - but not for professional sportsmen. It doesn't only affect Ward, it affects Poole Speedway and the other teams he rides for. The sport he has chosen is not only an individual sport, it's also a team sport - so his actions affect his fellow team members... as well as his, and his teams' many supporters. Many youngsters do foolish things which, in the main, only affect family and friends. Ward's behaviour has affected his family, his friends, his team members, his supporters etc. He has brought the sport of Speedway into disrepute by prioritising drink over his profession. It is not the behaviour of a responsible adult of 22. And I remember Jimmy Greaves - before George Best... There's a sad list of many sportsmen lost to their chosen sport because of drink, drugs etc. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Maybe a ban would do Ward some good, it would give him the chance to realise just how much speedway means to him. He has a great natural talent, one that could see him become World Champ one day, but right now he seems quite happy to let his career go down the tubes. I truly hope he gets things sorted out, realises what a talent he has, and we see Ward, Woffinden and Sayfudinov fighting it out at the top of the GP series for many years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wealdstone Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 IN what seems like a million years ago when I was a soccer scribe I spent a great deal of time watching George Best's career go down the tubes ... I was angry that I was being denied the chance to enjoy and write about a football genius. Best actually spent some of his last, sad days sitting on his own in a Surbiton pub near our office. I feel much the same about Ward now. I don't pretend to be close to him, generations apart, but I sat behind him on the flight back from Riga this morning and couldn't help but feel sorry for the lad. He has been foolish and stupid (again) but there should be no rejoicing in his downfall. We are all the losers, as we were with Best. No rejoicing but its about time he started acting in a responsible manner. Best thing he can do is accept whatever punishment he gets, don't make excuses and resolve to start afresh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Fever Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) What I find disappointing is the few individuals defending this latest failing seem to be mainly Poole and his former club Kings Lynn fans, very reminiscent of Liverpool and how they defended Suarez for his racism and Chelsea biting incident, failing to see what the rest of the world could see, a brilliant talented individual that was flawed. Personally if Ward is given a ban, I would also like to see him be offered support too in the form of counselling, if that is what is needed. Its a shame you're disappointed but tbh I don't care a damn how you feel. If a supporter can't try to defend someone they feel is being unfairly targeted then what is the point of this or any discussion forum, or court of law for that matter? Edited August 18, 2014 by Star Fever 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Unfairly targetted ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Fever Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Unfairly targetted ? Not the deed obviously - but the way people on this forum have reacted to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Its a shame you're disappointed but tbh I don't care a damn how you feel. If a supporter can't try to defend someone they feel is being unfairly targeted then what is the point of this or any discussion forum, or court of law for that matter? oops.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 IN what seems like a million years ago when I was a soccer scribe I spent a great deal of time watching George Best's career go down the tubes ... I was angry that I was being denied the chance to enjoy and write about a football genius. Best actually spent some of his last, sad days sitting on his own in a Surbiton pub near our office. I feel much the same about Ward now. I don't pretend to be close to him, generations apart, but I sat behind him on the flight back from Riga this morning and couldn't help but feel sorry for the lad. He has been foolish and stupid (again) but there should be no rejoicing in his downfall. We are all the losers, as we were with Best. The difference being, Best had a very good career in football. Possibly finished too early but please don't coimpare one of the greatest players to ever live, to a speedway rider who is fairly talented but as yet achieved not an awful lot. Also George was ill, there is a huge difference in being an alcoholic to being a waster like Ward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReturn Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) Its a shame you're disappointed but tbh I don't care a damn how you feel. If a supporter can't try to defend someone they feel is being unfairly targeted then what is the point of this or any discussion forum, or court of law for that matter? *toys out pram time* - Do you support Liverpool too? You need to take those Darcy Ward tinted glasses off. Try looking at from the bigger picture. Do you have kids? What if your kid was racing on track and taken out by a rider who was under the influence of a substance? Would you still be defending him then? He has been foolish and stupid (again) but there should be no rejoicing in his downfall. We are all the losers, as we were with Best. I agree with your words Phil, but I don't think any of us have been rejoicing (well maybe the odd Coventry fan) but most of us all agree with you, it is a shame we will be denied the privilege of watching him race. I hope someone on the flight actually told him how silly and stupid he had been. I don't say that to cause him further problems, but I think someone in the sport he respects needs to tell him that. Not the deed obviously - but the way people on this forum have reacted to it. Actually, I think your stance is amongst the worst on the thread the way you are blindly defending him. His problem could well be that he surrounded himself by too many people like you over the years. Edited August 18, 2014 by TheReturn 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Middleditch must be fuming Ward is making him look a prat by sticking up for him.Interesting what line Ford will take in this matter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wealdstone Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) Unfairly targetted ? Yes it beggars belief does it not, that anybody can hold that view. Edited August 18, 2014 by wealdstone 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Fever Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 *toys out pram time* - Do you support Liverpool too? You need to take those Darcy Ward tinted glasses off. Try looking at from the bigger picture. Do you have kids? What if your kid was racing on track and taken out by a rider who was under the influence of a substance? Would you still be defending him then? I agree with your words Phil, but I don't think any of us have been rejoicing (well maybe the odd Coventry fan) but most of us all agree with you, it is a shame we will be denied the privilege of watching him race. I hope someone on the flight actually told him how silly and stupid he had been. I don't say that to cause him further problems, but I think someone in the sport he respects needs to tell him that. Oh dear how sad - you fail to see that I (and others defending him) are entitled to our opinions! How nice this forum was if everyone had the same opinion as you huh? And football? no lol - i have no interest at all in football. In fact the comparison you gave with Saurez is totally irrelevant anyway - he is obviously mentally disturbed and has actually injured fellow players DURING a match. Ward of course HAS NOT!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillipsr Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Only has not because the opportunity was taken away from him by failing the test. Anyone who defends this or thinks a ban is to harsh is an idiot end of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Oh dear how sad - you fail to see that I (and others defending him) are entitled to our opinions! How nice this forum was if everyone had the same opinion as you huh? And football? no lol - i have no interest at all in football. In fact the comparison you gave with Saurez is totally irrelevant anyway - he is obviously mentally disturbed and has actually injured fellow players DURING a match. Ward of course HAS NOT!! If you're a fan of Ward, your best course of action is to shut up and let it blow over. By constantly trying to defend him you simply cause him more damage. Perhaps you're not a fan after all and just simply want to continue to pour fuel on the fire... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugwash Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Even if you are right, time and time again Ward as given them exactly what they want with his failings (mainly off-track). However, this thread is full of people talking about his talent and how they love to watch him ride, but that is not enough to turn a blind eye. So blame people all you want Puggy, ultimately there is just one person to blame. He's done wrong. Turned up at the GP with alcohol still in his system , failed a zero tolerance breath test, got a 3000Euro fine and banned from that GP. What more do you want, his head on a platter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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