Former Great Britain prop Neil Harmon has revealed how he turned down two Super League clubs to spearhead York Wasps' revival.

The 32-year-old played his first game in almost a year when he made his Wasps debut in yesterday's 20-6 home defeat by Batley Bulldogs.

Although he has been keeping himself fit, he has been out of the game since being released by Bradford Bulls last year.

Now he is hoping a spell with York will regain his match fitness and launch him back into the big time.

Harmon, whose 15-year professional career has also taken in Warrington, Leeds and Huddersfield, joined the Wasps last week on a month-to-month basis.

Reflecting on his decision to take a step down the ladder, Harmon said : "It all came about in a week. Two Super League clubs asked me to come down for a trial and play in the Under-21s (Alliance).

"I haven't played for nine months so they wanted to see how I'd be performing. But I need to get some match fitness and rather than go to a Super League club and play Under-21s it's a better standard playing in the NFP.

"Tony (Coleman, York's director of football) rang me up and asked me to come down here. I knew Rob (Roberts) was on board and they might be getting Leroy (Rivett) so I came down to have a look.

"I liked the feel and the energy of the place so I've signed for a month and we'll just see how it goes. York are helping me because I'm getting match fitness and I'm helping them with some experience so it's a two-way thing."

Harmon drifted into the rugby wilderness after discovering he was no longer part of former Bradford coach Matthew Elliott's plans.

He explained: "I could have stayed the season but Matt made it quite clear that I was the fourth choice prop and I was not prepared to play out the season in the Under-21s.

"At the time I was in contact with a rugby union club in France and that was in the pipeline until November but it fell through.

"I got another chance to go to France to play for Villeneuve but I've got a few business commitments in Leeds so I couldn't leave. I put my face around Super League but by then the clubs were full."

Super League's loss certainly looks to be York's gain judging by Harmon's debut yesterday.

Updated: 09:39 Tuesday, April 17, 2001