I WRITE in response to your editorial comments regarding York Wasps (June 22). Last year we saved the Wasps from closure in the High Court and then cleared all debts by entering a Company Voluntary Arrangement which was extremely beneficial to the club. This meant we had to finish the season with no monies and very little income.

To do this we are very grateful to the players, staff, coach and to the supporters.

Unless a major sponsor is found, this club will close after 100 years of professional rugby league in York. We are at the moment very close to signing the biggest sponsorship deal this club has ever had, we have already agreed the terms and they have been confirmed by fax.

Until the contract is signed and the monies secured we cannot legally or morally enter into any contract with any persons or companies. We are grateful to everyone who has helped through these horrid times, and once we know the club is safe, then we will start talking to everyone about the future.

Once the deal is secured other sponsors will follow and the club will then build for the future, next year it is our intention to be in the top six, and we are aiming for Super League within five years.

We are already in preliminary discussions which will enable the club to meet all the criteria required by Super League.

Until this club is safe and the finances are in place, no contracts will be offered, no deals will be done. Then we will move forward and give York the quality of rugby it deserves. These have always been my principles and I have never stated otherwise to anyone, including the press.

Russell Greenfield,

Vice chairman, York Wasps Rugby League Football Club,

Huntington Stadium,

Jockey Lane,

Huntington, York.

Updated: 10:43 Tuesday, June 26, 2001