RUGBY league fans and players from all over the country have rallied round in the York Wasps cause.

The Evening Press sports desk alone has fielded many calls from people wanting to know how they can help save the club, while websites have been deluged with messages of good will from rival fans.

Merchandise and memorabilia from various clubs have been offered up for auction as a possible way to raise funds, while there are definite plans for bucket collections to be held at every Super League match this weekend.

Suggestions of ways to help save the club have also flooded in from official supporters' associations and individuals.

Many are planning to attend Sunday's public meeting at Huntington Stadium (2pm), which has been set up with the intention of forming a supporters' trust for the Wasps and proving to potential buyers that there is a strong fan base.

Support has also come in directly from Super League and fellow Northern Ford Premiership clubs.

Castleford coach Graham Steadman, a former Wasp, has said he would have attended Sunday's meeting if the Tigers hadn't had a game that day, while Keighley Cougars chairman Neil Spencer has led the messages of good will.

"It will make me very sad indeed to see them go out of the league," he said.

"Clubs at this level have to try to live within their means but it is hard.

"The money is not evenly distributed in rugby league and York have paid the price for that.

"You never want to see this happen to anyone, and it is especially keenly felt at this club who have come close to this position in the past."

Keighley coach Gary Moorby, a former Wasps' player, also sympathises with what the club is going through.

He said: "It is a real shame for them.

"They were never the strongest side but it was always a great place to go and play.

"There has been a strong tradition of rugby in the area for a very long time. "

He added: "York has always been a bit of a rugby league outpost, but they have always kept going.

"It makes you wonder about the structure of our game, how this can happen.

"There is an enormous amount of money in Super League, but it isn't filtering down and clubs are struggling, as this club is only too aware."

Updated: 11:28 Friday, March 22, 2002