FORMER York Wasps kicking star Gary Pearce has opened the door to a shock return to Huntington Stadium as a coach.

Furthermore, Martin Flynn, who was assistant to departed head coach Leo Epifania, has also thrown his hat into the ring, saying he would be eager to stay on at the club.

Pearce scored 203 points for Ryedale-York during an 18-month spell in the early 1990s, and the half-back has since prospered as a player-coach in the 15-a-side code, winning four trophies with Pocklington and one with Hull.

However, with the Wasps hopeful of a near-instant return to the Northern Ford Premiership, Pearce has offered to help out with the coaching during the summer months.

And the 41-year-old, who won three caps for Wales RL while at York, could even be tempted to take up a permanent position once his contract with Hull RU - the side he has just guided to the Yorkshire One title - expires.

He told the Evening Press: "I would coach them if they need help.

"I offered my services to John Stabler (former York chairman) a couple of seasons ago, but he never took it up.

"I hope they do survive as no-one likes to see a club go to the wall.

"I'm contracted at Hull RU for three years, so I could only really help out during the summer months at the moment.

"I'm always keen to keep learning. Last summer I did some kicking coaching at Castleford Tigers and went to Hull FC to help out and keep my hand in.

"If I was able to help York I would, we would have to see."

Pearce, who also played rugby league for Scarborough Pirates, joined Hull RU midway through the 2000-01 season from Pocklington and has plans to take the Humberside club up the league standings. But when quizzed on whether he would be tempted to make a full-time return to the 13-a-side game he added: "You can never say never."

Flynn, meanwhile, has also offered his services to the new-look Wasps, either with the senior side or the Academy, which has had to close this season but could be re-formed next year.

The North Yorkshire RL Service Area co-ordinator and former Wasps number two and Academy chief has been in the process of selecting service area representative youth sides but, other than that, has no coaching duties at present.

"For the first time in ten years I'm not coaching anybody other than my work with the service area, and I am at a loss a little bit as regards what to do," he said.

"My wife's trying to find me something else to get me out of the house but I want to keep coaching."

He added: "I've told the Wasps' working party that I would be keen to help in any way, and it is now up to other people to make that decision.

"At the moment I might have to do some DIY or something. It would be nice to stay involved with the Wasps after being there for so long - for a start I'm no good at DIY."

Updated: 09:21 Thursday, April 25, 2002