YORK'S oldest working men's club is up for sale - less than a month after members were urged to "use it or lose it."

The Irish National League Club, in Speculation Street, is on the market for £95,000.

The club has been advertised in the Evening Press by chartered surveyors Westlake & Co, who are handling its sale.

The INL was set up 112 years ago by the large number of migrant Irish workers who settled in the Walmgate area.

Over the years, club members have notched up a proud record of achievement in all kinds of sports, from rugby and football to snooker and darts.

But the club's membership now stands at only 200, and late last month its president Alan Baines admitted it was suffering financial problems.

He said at the time: "We are having financial difficulties, but which club isn't?

"It is a fact that nationally 90 clubs close each year and it's all finance-related.

"People have put a lot of their spare time into creating these facilities but it seems a lot of people are just not interested in using them."

Now, the club has been advertised for sale as a going concern - with £95,000 quoted as "a guide price."

The sale advert says: 'Recently refurbished club premises with car park and living quarters, strategically located in a densely populated residential neighbourhood within the city walls.'

A club regular, who has been a member since 1994, told the Evening Press: "I've no idea what is going on. No one has.

"What I do know is this is a great club, and it will be a real shame if it closes and doesn't carry on as a club.

"I'm in every day. You can't beat it. The beer is cheap and it's well looked-after.

"Apart from one pub, this is the only place I drink. I wouldn't go into town, they charge way too much," said the member, who asked to remain anonymous.

His fellow drinker, who also declined to give his name but said he had been an INL member since 1946, said: "I'm in every dinner time and every night time. I wouldn't go anywhere else. You can't beat clubs if you ask me but too many are struggling."

Mr Baines declined to comment on the club's future.

Updated: 14:36 Thursday, November 22, 2001