HOPES of a York Wasps' resurrection are so high that players are set to have their first get-together and training session since the closure of the club.

All the squad are to gather at Huntington Stadium tomorrow evening - the regular training night - to be informed of the latest developments in the 'Keep Wasps Buzzing' campaign, followed by a run-out to keep them in trim.

Caretaker boss Stewart Horton - the former player and head coach who has offered to take charge of team affairs following the departure of Leo Epifania - will lead the session. All players still with the club are asked to contact him on 07939 573911.

Optimism that the Wasps could be readmitted to the Rugby Football League in time for the resumption of the Northern Ford Premiership in June remained high at yesterday's public meeting held by supporters.

A superb turn-out of more than 150 were told by fans' leader Gary Hall that the money donated to the cause now totalled £28,000, though that figure included monthly and weekly donations for an entire year.

The money which has been pledged up until the end of this season was about £18,000, as revealed by the Evening Press on Saturday. It has been estimated that the club would need £40,000 to see out the season, should it be allowed back in June after the National League Cup is over.

Hall stressed no cheques would be cashed until the working party was certain the club was to get back in the league, while, if the campaign ultimately failed, cash already in would go towards junior rugby league in York. No money is going to any individual or the old board, or to pay off the old debts. It will all go to the proposed supporters' trust.

Fans were also told that, following the liquidation of the old company (York Rugby League Football Club), a new company, as well as a supporters' trust, was now being legally formed by the working party.

The intention would be for that new company (the new rugby league club) to take over the York Wasps' franchise and take on its remaining fixtures.

Hall said the aim of the trust would be to either raise enough money to keep the new club going, which was unlikely to be sustainable in the long-term, or, should a buyer come in, to acquire enough shares in the club to have a say on a new board, even though that buyer would probably have the controlling interest.

He also outlined the proposal to set up an exclusive membership scheme, to take the place of season tickets.

Such membership, provisionally priced at £250 a year, would offer admission to all matches, guaranteed access to bars, a monthly draw, and reduced travel to away games, while the legalities of such a scheme would mean the club would not have to pay VAT on membership revenue.

He added: "We have come a long way in the two weeks since the club folded. But there's still a long way to go.

"We're working hard to try to resurrect York Wasps and we will continue to do so with the help of and for the York community."

Updated: 09:05 Monday, April 08, 2002