SCB

Darcy Ward, IMO one of, if not the most talented and exciting riders of a generation. I can honestly say no other rider has ever left me feeling quite so excited when he rolls up to the tapes but also believe he will (not can, but will) win any race you put him in. I love that, I want to see that for the next 20 years (Hancock & Gollob have shown thats possibly). So when I make negative comments don't think it's because I hate Darcy Ward as Starman and Middlo would have you believe. But the reason I, and others, bring up his past indecisions is because people like Starman and Middlo will bang the "learning from mistakes" drum. I just point out, he hasn't and why hasn't he? Because he keep getting away with it. How long before he seriously hurts someone? The rape/sexual assault thing - even his legal team said what he did was disgusting so even if not actual full on rape/sexual assault what he did wasn't nice. On it's own you'd go, may he was unlucky (notice how the "unnamed 17 year old" has kept his head down, and it working hard to stay whiter than white?). I don't need to go through the others but the point is, he doesn't learn form them does he? They all involved drink (or drugs) and he keeps going silly things every 12-18 months and you just know he will again. How long before he is causing serious injury or heaven forbid death with one of his little stunts? Someone needs to stop Darcy Ward NOW. For himself. Before he goes mad, goes down the wrong path and screws up his life and career. Do we want another Michael Lee? Or Paul Gascoigne? Nobody stopped Kelly Moran because he was a talented motorcyclist and a "character" - look at where he is now. So when I moan, complain, bitch, slag off or "hate on" Darcy, it's far more for his sake than for anyone elses. Let him sort himself out. Stay out of trouble for a few years and you know what? I think he could go from a seriously disliked person to a truly liked, loved and raved about speedway rider. To Darcy, don't throw away what you have. Please.

I agree it's cheating. But he accepted the punishment and as they say "idf you can't do the time, don't do the crime" you can flip that to, "if you're happy to do the time, then by all means commit the crime". We've all shouted for our riders to do it and a few heats later screamed at an opponent to get up

He hasn't got to be "liked" to see that whats happened is harsh, in fact it's totally unfair on the poor guy.

If you're using "criteria" from a few years back you're screwed! The whole reason for this shake up is because the criteria being applied in recent years has been one the BSPA made up and is incorrect!

Funny how the OP says Ward doesn't cheat but after the Kennett silencer issue a few riders scores dropped off. Now clearly, by co-incidence, Eastbourne vs Poole was taking place at exactly the same time here is the match report - notice that 1 or 2 riders scores alter mid-meeting, about the time that Lakeside complains about a couple of the Coventry riders bikes.... If you're going to throw mud and make accusations, I suggest that the rider you're defending looks squeaky clean!

There was a time that the Tasmanian state final was seen as the gift way for 4 riders to get a work permit. I know Ashley Jones had to ride in it to get his work permit in 2002 for Newport.

So many issues, 1. Under 21 Title is not relevant. Top 4 in the National or State Title 2. Have to either meeting the 7 point average or meeting the National/State Title criteria again. 3. If he doesn't qualify he doesn't qualify. You can't arbitrarily give him a 7 point average and say he qualifies. He doesn't meet the criteria. I think a few are going to be disappointed. The idea of ther work shops is to discuss the things that have been wrong in the past and make sure they're done correctly now.That means 6-8 riders do not meet the criteria so won't get permit/visa

theres a league full of them! Kick out the Aussies and then the 6 point men left become 7 pointers, the 5 pointers become 6 pointers etc. the 3 pointers will be replaced by NL riders.

Thats not true at all. For years Americans and Australians have had work permit refused. in the 80s and into the 90s Americans had to get 6 point EL averages to get a work permit. These days they don't even have to get that figure in the PL!!!

Robson will either be his 2013 EL average of 4.63. Or his PL average converted which is 4.54 (7.56 x 0.6) What odd is TNt has used Robbos 2013 EL average but Kennetts converted average. So at least one of them is wrong - if we're using rolling averages then it has to be Kennetts IMO.

Lets hope they stop selling Fosters too

Technicalities. Rape is penetration of the penis. Sexual assault is penetration with something other than the penis. Sad maybe but I've never been accused of rape/sexual assault, been suspended from work for turning up drunk or had need to evade the let alone actually try evading them on an unlicensed vehicle. It's funny seeing people get wound up when Darcy list of misdemeanours are brought up. That's without mention of the night he got beat around the head with a wheel brace.

It didn't happen in the speedway world did it? It was ignored by the BSPA, his club and the speedway star. They think if they ignore it that it didn't happen.

How? I'm happy to discuss my views with anyone and either justify them or apologise for them. I will admit that decorum isn't my thing. I'm more of a call a spade a spade type of person. So Middlo is calling fans retards now on twitter. Classy guy.

Next week is within 45. FFS. I'm seriously starting to think he's a troll. Nobody could be this thick.

Or a rape/sexual abuse trial. Them things go on for days!

I know Brendon has had a lot of clubs in a short career so is used to being dropped but this is stupid even by his standards

Ignorance is not a defence in law either. You're expect to know or employ someone who does know so can stop you breaking the law. The top guy at the BSPA has just made the sport sound more amateur than ever now.

So Middlo can't walk on water and isn't the greatest team manager ever? C'mon, you're the one who constantly tells us how great Middlo is. Have you changed your mind?

Makes me hope they ban him for 2 years. Just so Middlo has a break down!

There we go, that one again, "irreparably damage the entire sport in the UK" - really? The EL would lose 4 riders. We've lost more riders than that in the past and coped. If Holder, Batch, Doyle and Fricke are really the glue holding British speedway together than the sport (at EL level) has more issues than a few immigration irregularities! Short term it may mess up Poole, Swindon and Leicester (plenty of 5 point men to replace Fricke at BV though) but it's would not be irreparable and it would not effect the entire sport - just 3 clubs, a little. edit > and Gordon Pairman seems to think Poole could cope. So Leicester and Swindon would be effected - would probably mean singing one of the 6-7 point men out there and being a point or two under the limit initially.

So confusing and difficult that a few people on this forum have been saying for years there been some piss taking going on!

Whats this about? At a mates birthday party tonight? Of out to take drugs and evade police? Or down the pub with Middlo?

"Drunk - Caused or influenced by intoxication." Now I'd argue that if the FIM/WADA feel they need to ban anyone with any alcohol in their system they think that any reading other than 0 means you'll be influenced by intoxication, thus drunk. Darcy was drunk.

Ritchie doesn't need a work permit and no justification is needed for his place. But as Ritchie points out, Adam could get a team place if the Aussies don't get in. Well work permits (generally, not just in speedway) are only meant to be given out where there is no suitable EU person able and willing to do the job. So Manzares has a work permit but he shouldn't if Ellis is available. Now Ipswich might be able to argue that due to clashes he can't do the job I guess.