YORK Wasps have received a five-star summer boost.

A quintet of players, who shone throughout last season despite the club's ailing fortunes, have already signed contracts to keep them at Huntington Stadium for at least another year.

And more are set to follow suit when the name of the new coach is announced, while the Wasps are also confident of luring star players from outside the club in time for the new season.

Chief executive Ann Garvey told the Evening Press that big signings are likely to be revealed after the coach and major new club sponsors are unveiled at the much-anticipated press conference on September 18th.

But she was delighted to have already secured the services of five popular Wasps.

Club captain Alan Pallister, already with ten years at Huntington Stadium and last season's testimonial behind him, leads the way having given his word that he will sign for another year.

Bulldozing forward Darren Crake, who was pushing for last season's Evening Press player-of-the-year award, has put pen to paper for the first time having only been registered on a trial basis from amateurs York Acorn last season.

Fellow forward Andy Precious has signed on for a ninth year at the club despite suffering a tormenting time last season, having broken his ankle in the opening match and missing much of the campaign due to work commitments.

Upcoming youngster Nathan Pincher, who joined on trial from Castleford at the start of last season and signed a two-year deal in March, has now extended that contract by 12 months, keeping him at the club until 2004.

And fellow youngster Matt Mulholland, a former Sheffield Eagles Academy utility back with potential, has now signed until 2003.

In an additional boost, the Wasps are also confident of snapping up prop Andy Hutchinson from Hull amateur side Sutton Trust. The fans' favourite was arguably the find of last season and won the Evening Press Player of the Year award.

All players on professional contracts will be paid on a win/lose structure, unlike last season when, as part of the company voluntary arrangement which kept the club afloat, they could only be offered payment based on gate receipts.

The long-term deals for Pincher, and Mulholland, who are both just 20, are particularly poignant for the Wasps, as it signals their intention to build for the future and put their financial strife behind them for good.

Garvey said: "We are also looking at signing some academy players on professional contracts. They might not feature in the first team yet but we're looking towards the future, building a young team with potential."

As for future signings, she added: "A lot of players want to know who the coach is before putting pen to paper, which is understandable.

"But with the players we're speaking to, I have every confidence that when they know who the coach is many more will sign for us."

Updated: 09:21 Thursday, August 30, 2001