Raise a glass to the future success of York Wasps.

That is the basis of an idea which has been mooted by fans in recent weeks to raise much-needed funds for the club's coffers.

They have suggested the Wasps buy a pub near to the city centre and use its profits to finance the club.

It would give the Wasps a presence in the city as well as giving York supporters and rugby league fans in general a place to drink and mull over the latest goings-on.

Currently the only place for Wasps fans to converge is in the Huntington Stadium bar on a match day, and the money made there does not go to the club.

Well, probably unbeknown to York fans, this has been discussed at boardroom level some time ago.

Chief executive Ann Garvey has revealed they had looked into the possibility a few months ago but finance remains the major stumbling blocks.

For one, the rates for a pub near the city are, according to Ann, "astronomical."

Then there is the problem of where does the money come from. "We can't borrow because we haven't got any assets. That has always been a problem but we can't borrow it now for the next two years because we're in a CVA," she explained.

The directors could club together to buy such an establishment but that is unlikely to go down well with the players. As rightly pointed out by Ann, the they would surely question the decision of John Stabler and co to pay out £50,000 or £60,000 on a pub when players' wages are so low.

However, she admitted it was a good idea in theory and it remains a possible option, should the sort of money become available that is needed to invest in such a project.

So if any Wasps fans win the Lottery, now they know what to do with the cash.

Club captain Alan Pallister makes a welcome return to action at Rochdale next Sunday.

But before then he will take centre stage at tomorrow's game when the Former Players' Association present him with a cheque for £100 towards his testimonial fund.

A night out in Castleford to raise further funds, which had been scheduled for last Wednesday, had to be cancelled because of poor numbers.

However, team-mate Mick Ramsden is planning another event to aid Pally's cause.

He is organising an Umpah night on Saturday, August 18 at the Bayernstubl Restaurant in Pocklington.

The cost will be £20 which includes bus from York, chic-ken and chips and entertainment by German band along with a limbo competition and piggy back racing.

Mick is currently preparing posters and booking forms so keep your eyes peeled.

A final reminder that a Curry and Casino night to raise club funds takes place this coming Monday night, April 2, at the Jaipur Spice Restaurant on Haxby Road.

On offer will be a full Indian banquet, craps, blackjack and roulette. Tickets are £20, and all profits go to the club.

Ring 01904 634636 for more details or to book a place.

With this season now virtually written off, the Wasps are already looking to the future.

They have started working on sponsorship for next season to ensure they have some bargaining power when trying to put a team together.

They want to be able to offer decent winning and losing pay next term but in order to do that they need to know what money they have coming in.

Getting a head start should prevent the kind of problems which have dogged them in recent years.