Lee Crooks today resigned as coach of York Wasps with immediate effect.

Crooks has been upset by the club's decision not to offer him a contract when his current deal expires on July 7.

They claim they are not in a position to offer any contracts until they get money in place for next season, which is unlikely to be until August or September.

But Crooks claimed he had been led to believe that he would be offered new terms.

"I feel I have been let down by the club," Crooks told the Evening Press today. "If they'd told me six weeks ago they were not in a position to offer me a contract I'd have tried to go about my job the best I could until the end of the season.

"But they haven't told me the truth about what they've been intending to do.

"Then to imply that I would have to apply for the job when it comes up again is insulting.

"I know I'm letting the players and supporters down by resigning but there are certain principles I have got to uphold."

Crooks' decision leaves York without a coach for their remaining two games of the season, at home to Widnes on Sunday and at champions Leigh next week.

Updated: 16:00 Thursday, June 21, 2001