Cash-strapped York Wasps are set to be boosted by new sponsorship helping players get to training and matches.

Thisisyork has learnt that a mystery benefactor - who does not want to be identified but is believed to be a keen Wasps supporter - has approached the club offering to help pay players' travelling expenses.

Although no deal has been finalised, the news is still a major fillip for the club, who have been looking for sponsorship to bolster players' wages and contribute to expenses following the acceptance earlier this month of the new payment structure at the club.

The re-structuring was accepted as part of the Creditors' Voluntary Agreement.

This new pay deal sees the 17 players on duty receive a percentage of home gate receipts. Those who do not play don't get paid, so no player is guaranteed a weekly wage.

Therefore, the club were fearful of losing more key players, following the departures of formerly contracted stars Jamie Benn, Michael Smith and Andy Hill.

However, this potential deal offers new hope that these players, many of whom live in south, east and west Yorkshire, would be persuaded to stay.

One such player is loose forward Spencer Hargrave, who, as reported has been linked with a move to Rochdale Hornets but is keen to stay at Huntington Stadium.

He said: "Any help is good. I'm still looking for a guaranteed wage through sponsorship but this kind of thing could help me decide to stay."

Wasps' chief executive Ann Garvey said of the deal: "There is nothing definite yet as it is just a proposal at present, but there is someone speaking to the club as regards looking at sponsoring players' travelling expenses.

"I've arranged to meet him during the course of the week to discuss details and hopefully come to an arrangement."

Meanwhile, the Wasps have rearranged their postponed Northern Ford Premiership match against Sheffield Eagles for Sunday, February 25. The match was called off on Sunday because of a frozen pitch.

This new date, however, is subject to neither club reaching the fifth round of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup, as it is the day those ties are scheduled to be played.

"We're hoping we'll have to rearrange the game again," joked Garvey.

Updated: 14:28 Thursday, January 18, 2001