CRAIG Boyce has stressed Pirates' "team spirit will be a different story this year."

The evergreen Aussie, returning to Poole Castle Cover for a second successive season, said: "With last year's team, we struggled with not having a full team all the time.

"Consequently, the team spirit was not as good as it should have been and team spirit is a big part of speedway. It should never be underestimated.

"Jason Crump, who we have brought in this term, is a strong leader though and I have been personal friends with him for years.

"Bjarne Pedersen will step up again as skipper, I know Troy Batchelor and Jason Doyle well and I've already spoken to Sergey Darkin and Ed Kennett, so it will be a different story this year."

Boyce had been critical of Antonio Lindback's non-appearances for Pirates through injury last year, even alleging that the Brazilian-born Swede had been "on his holidays again" in one memorable live Sky TV interview.

It was clear, however, that injuries, primarily to Krzysztof Kasprzak and Lindback, but also to Pedersen, and illness to Grzegorz Walasek, meant that the fans could also see it wasn't always sunshine and light within the Poole camp.

Boyce, whose side slumped to a seventh-place finish in the Elite League, the club's worst since 1998, said: "When the team is winning the team spirit is already there.

"But it is needed when you are struggling or need the extra point. That is where we missed out last year."

Boyce, Pirates' all-time leading league and cup points scorer who has ridden in 376 league and KO Cup matches for them since 1988, added: "Over the years, we have had good team spirit at Poole, and we will have it again in 2007."

Asked about Pirates' title hopes, Boyce replied: "It is easy to say we can challenge for the league, but you just have to wait and see what everyone's form is.

"It was like KK when he got good at the end of last season after he had broken his collar bone and been out for three months.

"It is hard to say, but I'm sure that the team is strong enough to do something pretty good this year.

"I'm also sure that the promoters will make sure we are strong for the whole season (unlike in 2006)."

Boyce added: "I have sponsorship with Freeway Tyres and Argon Welding and I'm delighted they have come on board with me again."

The 39-year-old, who is also Australia's team manager, would "also be grateful for any other backing."