PATIENT promoter Matt Ford revealed he would give Pirates youngster Brady Kurtz time to blossom.

Ford elected to bring the 20-year-old back for a second straight campaign despite admitting he had been disappointed by the Aussie's efforts at the business end of last season, his rookie year in the top flight.

Kurtz failed to score in the second leg of the play-off semi-final at Wolverhampton but Ford said similarities between the promising prospect and former Pirates star Darcy Ward had convinced him to stay loyal.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "Brady finished the season disappointingly. There is a time where riders need to step up and and Brady actually went the other way at absolutely the wrong time.

"I could go back to the 2010 final against Coventry where arguably the best rider to represent the Pirates, Darcy Ward, scored just one point away from home at Coventry.

"Brady scored zero at Wolves. At this point in time I would not put Brady in the bracket of Darcy as he has a long way to go and a lot to improve to get up to those standards.

"But I see similarities and I feel Brady has an awful lot more about him. I'm sure this kid will go the whole way in the sport but he needs time and to feel at home, which I feel he will now."