YORK Wasps vice-chairman Russell Greenfield was this afternoon confident that the club would be saved by the end of today.

The Wasps were thrown a lifeline after pledges by players and fans at a crisis meeting yesterday wiped out the club's immediate debt. But they still faced a race against time to meet the Rugby Football League's deadline of 3pm tomorrow to find a rescue package.

However, Mr Greenfield today said: "I'm confident a deal will go through by the end of the day. Negotiations are proceeding very well.

"It will be somebody buying the club out and owning more than 50 per cent of the club, with the current board of directors resigning."

The RFL today suggested that if a deal could not be worked out by 3pm tomorrow, it would not rule out extending the survival deadline.

However, if a "sustainable" deal was not forthcoming, the RFL would accept the club's resignation from the league and Wasps would cease to exist - ending 134 years of professional rugby in York.

RFL operations manager Nigel Wood said: "There has to be sufficient demonstration within the club of a willingness to make progress."

Wood said all discussions would have to go through the board but added: "In view of the outstanding support that the club's fans have demonstrated, we would expect the board to make formal representations to include some reflection of that fact."

Wasps directors stunned fans last Tuesday by announcing the club had ceased trading. To survive, a rescue package must cover its debts and guarantee a further £70,000 will be available for the club to see out the season.

During the public meeting at Huntington Stadium yesterday, players and fans pledged enough money to a supporters' fund to wipe out the club's immediate debts.

About 15 Wasps first-teamers and backroom staff who attended agreed to waive their overdue wages for March, which could add up to £12,000 of the club's deficit. Donations and pledges from fans neared £13,000.

Most of the pledges were dependent on the board stepping down.

Fan Mike Miller, an accountant, said the club's liabilities were about £20,000, soon rising to £35,000. He said: "We've got enough for a down-payment to cover the immediate liabilities."

The players present also said they would play for nothing on Good Friday, if need be, and could waive their wages due in April.

More than 400 fans crammed into the meeting, which was arranged by Wasps supporter Gary Hall.

He said the aim was to prove to potential sponsors and buyers that the club was worth saving. A working party was also formed to set up a supporters' trust.

Updated: 15:29 Monday, March 25, 2002