YORK Wasps RL coach Leo Epifania said the collapse of the club could be a "blessing in disguise" if it meant the fans could help to bring back its spirit.

Epifania was asked to speak at yesterday's "Save Wasps" meeting arranged by fan Gary Hall, who described the event as a roaring success after more than 400 people crammed into the bar at Huntington Stadium.

And the Aussie, who had taken over as coach just before the start of the Northern Ford Premiership campaign, said: "What's gone on at this club since I've been here has been disappointing to say the least.

"I was told it would be a well set-up system and a club that's going places, but I knew almost as soon as I arrived that the way it's set up there's no way it was going anywhere. This was not a patch on how a club should be run.

"I'm not calling the board dishonest or anything but, the way it was run, this club was not going places. If this did not happen now it would have happened next month.

"It might prove to be a blessing in disguise perhaps. Having all the supporters get involved like this is a good thing.

"To get the supporters and loyal people who have the club at heart involved is the way to get the club back on the road.

"I'm not asking anyone to dip into their pockets. I think that turning up and showing your heart's behind the club is the best way to start."

The meeting was organised following the shock revelation last week that the club had folded and had until 3pm tomorrow to find a rescue package or its resignation from the Rugby Football League would be accepted.

It is hoped the big turn-out at the meeting would prove to potential saviours that the club was worth rescuing, while moves have begun to form a supporters' trust.

Epifania continued: "On behalf of my players and myself we are disappointed with the way things have gone on the pitch but we have all been giving 100 per cent.

"We've found it hard to keep going with how the club's run, but we had to get on with it. We've done it tough all year. We've copped some floggings which is pretty heart-wrenching and I've seen the boys upset and they've seen me upset.

"But there's a goal there now to turn things around. It's hard to say whether York will get back in competition this season but this is a good place to start."

Organiser Hall was delighted with the outcome of the meeting and remained positive. "I think with the support we've had today we won't go out of the league," he said. "We've all got one common aim, not just so that this club survives for this season but that it goes on for ever more.

"Let's all work together and get this club back where it should be.

"I wish the board could have let us have this meeting before they closed the club down, but if we can get a team on the field on Good Friday (against Featherstone), all this work would have been worth it."

Updated: 11:41 Monday, March 25, 2002