Will they or won't they? That's the big question now surrounding the Rugby Football League and the proposed return to winter rugby.

The NFP clubs - York Wasps and a handful of others apart - have voted to kick-off next season in September.

It's now up to the RFL to make the final decision.

The general concensus seems to be that a return to a full winter season would be a backward step - and not just because of the impracticalities.

Changing dates has become an annual past-time for the NFP and, as York chief executive Ann Garvey rightly said, is doing nothing to enhance the sport's reputation.

Perhaps the RFL should accept that start and finish dates of the season have practically no effect on crowd sizes.

The only thing that really brings in the crowds is success and effective marketing.

Instead the RFL should adopt a long-term strategy, say three or five years. One year is not long enough to assess success or failure.

Sadly the RFL and long-term plans have become a contradiction in terms.

Nothing ever seems to be planned past the end of the existing season, so the decision by RFL chairman Sir Rodney Walker to set up a strategic planning committee to examine all aspects of the game is a welcome, if surprising, move.

They should set the same season for ALL pro clubs, whether that be summer or winter, decide on a strategy for promotion and relegation between Super League and the NFP, say two up-two down, and stick with it.

The current situation is doing nothing for the sport except turning it into a laughing stock. The long-term good must come before short-term gains or the future of the game will remain on a knife edge.

One noteable absentee from the Gateshead team which played York last week was former Wasps half-back Darren Callaghan.

Darren is awaiting a knee cartilage operation and is likely to be out of action for around another month.

On the eve of the Gateshead game, Darren went back to his roots when he presented awards at his former club York Acorn's presentation night.

Also handing out the honours that night was another ex-Acorn player, current Wasps star Darren Crake.

There was some good news this week for York old boy Michael Smith.

The blockbusting Kiwi back-rower has signed a new deal with Castleford Tigers to keep him at the Jungle until 2003.

He initially joined Cas on a six-month deal after leaving the Wasps but his outstanding form has attracted interest from a host of other Super League clubs.

Smith said: "I am very happy to have signed this new deal with the Tigers and secured my future for the next few years with the club.

"I appreciated being given a second chance with the Tigers, who, with hindsight, I probably shouldn't have left in 1998."

The Wasps' loss has definitely been Castleford's gain.

Ever wondered what happened to Ryan Hardy and Scott Acklam, who showed so much promise for the Wasps earlier this season?

Strong-running centre or second rower Hardy has left the club due to difficulties in travelling.

Prop forward Acklam, who at one time was forming a fine front row alliance with Andy Hutchinson, has not been seen at the club since breaking a couple of ribs in the clash with Hunslet last month.

Election day is looming, and for anyone who is dreading the endless hours of dull TV coverage on June 7 there is some good news.

That night York Acorn will be hosting a double bill of comedy and music as part of Alan Pallister's testimonial year.

Des Martine, billed as the number one Rod Stewart tribute act in the country, will be one of two top performers appearing at their Thanet Road clubhouse.

Also on show will be comedian Chris McGlaid - although the tickets warn anyone who is easily offended to stay away so you have been warned.

The club opens at 7pm and has a late bar. Tickets, costing £3, are available from Ann Wright on 07808 030544 or the Acorn club on 01904 330351.

The Wasps are trying to switch the date of their Academy clash with Barrow next month.

The Academy are scheduled to travel to Barrow on Saturday, June 9, the day before the first teams meet in the NFP at Craven Park.

York are hoping the Academy game can instead be played as a curtain raiser on the Sunday to allow both teams to travel up together and save on costs.