COACHES Dean Robinson and John Paterson have won their constructive dismissal cases against York Wasps Rugby League Club.

The pair were awarded more than £18,000 in compensation and lost wages.

Wasps' chief executive Ann Garvey said she was "saddened and disappointed" after an employment tribunal found against the club in the case brought by the two former coaches. But she said the club was insured, so the Wasps' future was safe.

Mr Robinson was awarded £13,514 in compensation and £836 in unpaid wages after the two-day hearing in Leeds.

Mr Paterson was awarded £4,053.55 in compensation and £564.64 in unpaid wages following the case which heard the coaches claim constructive dismissal.

They argued they left in March this year because the club had made it impossible for them to continue working there.

They also claimed that Mrs Garvey withheld players' tickets to away matches, and alleged she asked players to get up a petition against them.

Mrs Garvey strongly denied the claims at the tribunal, saying: "There was a petition going around on the initiation of Spencer Hargrave (a player) but it had nothing to do with me." She acknowledged withholding tickets on one occasion, but said she found, on joining the club in December 1999, that it was normal practice to withhold some of them for staff and others.

After the hearing Mrs Garvey expressed disappointment at what had been said by the coaches.

She said: "I am terribly disappointed with the verdict. I can guarantee here and now that this financial settlement will not affect the running of the club.

"We were well insured for this and York Wasps will continue to operate as normal."

Mrs Garvey continued: "What I can also say is that I, and the other board members, have always done the very best for this club and will continue to do so for as long as we are involved with the club."

Speaking on behalf of himself and Mr Paterson, Mr Robinson said they were very pleased with the verdict but were saddened their era at the club had ended in the way it did.

He paid tribute to his family for their support during the proceedings and to his legal team for the way they handled the case.

He said: "I would like to thank Neil Derrick of the Professional Coaches Association, for the way he has handled this very delicate matter. I also offer my very best wishes to York Wasps and the current coach. I only hope he receives the help and facilities that were denied to me."