CRAIG Boyce has warned Pirates fans not to expect too much too soon from young gun Darcy Ward.

Poole’s all-time leading points scorer believes the Wimborne Road faithful should not expect the club’s record signing to fire in 10 points every meeting next year.

Boyce feels the teenager, who has joined the Dorset club from King’s Lynn, has the ability to become a senior world champion after lifting the junior crown last month.

But Australia’s team manager also believes Pirates’ fans shouldn’t put too much pressure on Ward to deliver from the off.

Boyce said: “You have to remember Darcy is a 17-year-old lad who has only been riding in England for one full season.

“He’s had an outstanding first year in Poland helping Torun reach the play-off final, so I’m sure he’ll bring a lot of excitement to Poole.

“He’s definitely entertaining to watch. He’s a racer just like Chris Holder. He’ll bring something new to the Wimborne Road party.”

Boyce, a former world number three, added: “Darcy is good mates with Chris and I’m sure Chris will help him out a lot at the start of his Elite League career.

“It’s a big step up from the Premier and it’s all about learning to ride on new tracks. That’s why people should remember Darcy is still only 17.

“Poole fans are going to see a new up-and-coming face beginning his apprenticeship like Chris did.

“There’ll be times when he sets the world on fire and occasions when he doesn’t and everyone has to realise that’s going to happen and support him when it doesn’t go so well.

“You can’t put too much pressure on the lad at first because he’s still learning the ropes.

“People can’t expect a 17-year-old to come in and get 10 points every meeting.

“He’ll be looking to find his feet in the first few months and get rolling by the end of the season.

“I think he’ll up his starting average of 4.56 but by how much is a difficult question to answer.

“Darcy will just want to ride his motorbike and win races. People like him and Chris don’t worry about averages.

“It’s only fans and the media who do that.”

Castle Cover Pirates chief Matt Ford has tipped Ward as a future senior world champion, while King’s Lynn supremo Jonathan Chapman has labelled him the best teenage rider since Michael Lee.

Boyce said: “Darcy has already won the under-21 title and I saw him ride in Germany in a world under-21 team event when he was absolutely a different class to everyone else. He was three levels better.

“He has the right tiger in him to win the senior title and I hope he does. Whether he has the mental attitude, he’ll learn over the years.”