The nightmare finally ended for for York Wasps last Friday when they brought the curtain down on the 2000 season.

DIANNE HILLABY looks back at the traumatic events of the last six months.

York Wasps' Millennium season must go down as one of the most horrific in recent history - and not just for events on the field.

When the Northern Ford Premiership broke new ground with a Boxing Day kick-off, York fans had no idea what lay in store for them over the next six months.

But despite the off-field turmoil which almost tore the club apart, Rich Hayes still believed they were capable of much more than a second from bottom finish.

"I wouldn't say it's a relief that it's over but it's been tough to keep motivated," said the Wasps prop.

"It's not that the effort hasn't been there but we've been playing more as individuals than a team.

"In training we're going through things and it's coming off great then we go into a match and everything falls apart. We've tried very hard but with the players down here I think we've underachieved."

The season started as it was to go on - badly. By the time a wage structure had been agreed, the Wasps were left with just over a month to prepare for the season.

Top players went to pastures new - John Strange and Rich Goddard to Sheffield, Fata Sini and Peter Edwards to Doncaster, Jamie Benn to Castleford and Matt Lambert to Featherstone.

There was still cause for optimism with the arrival of Rich Hayes from Hunslet, Rob Lee and John McCracken from Hull, Matt Woodcock and Andy Lambert from Workington, Castleford trio Spencer Hargrave, Andy Hill and Gareth Dobson plus New Earswick All Black Lee McTigue.

But it was apparent early on that it was going to be a difficult season.

Despite a friendly victory over Hunslet, Doncaster Dragons in the opening NFP match were a different class.

They romped to a 36-1 victory while York suffered their first taste of the bad luck which was to dog them all season - new signing Rob Lee breaking his ribs just nine minutes into his debut.

The first victory came three games into the season, a thrilling 16-15 home win over Sheffield thanks to an Andy Precious drop goal eight seconds from time.

The Challenge Cup campaign got off to an impressive start with 50 point wins over amateurs Dudley Hill and Thornhill. That earned the Wasps a mouth-watering trip to Super League giants Warrington Wolves, complete with former York favourite Tawera Nikau and Aussie legend Allan Langer.

Sadly, the fairytale turned into a nightmare as York suffered a record club defeat, 84-1.

Off the field York were about to embark on a traumatic period, starting with the sad death of club chairman Trevor Cox.

Soon after cracks began appearing. Dean Robinson refused to talk to the press, claiming the board were censuring his comments.

The tension mounted and on March 20, Robinson and assistant John Paterson resigned, claiming constructive dismissal in a case which is still on-going.

Player Garry Atkins was appointed caretaker coach and was soon dealt his first major blow - the loss of captain Craig Booth to Featherstone.

Despite the crisis, the Wasps responded with victories in Atkins' first two games in charge, at Lancashire and at home to Barrow.

A fresh wave of optimism swept the club but it was to prove short-lived as York suffered seven successive defeats, including a 70-8 hammering by Doncaster.

A battling 12-12 draw at Sheffield and the arrival of Welsh winger Max Ryce and Kiwi Michael Smith offered some respite.

But then came the body blow which was to rock the club - a winding-up petition issued by the Inland Revenue and a High Court date on June 7.

The team responded with a magnificent 33-10 win at Batley, a game which was Mark Cain's last before he signed for Dewsbury.

The next match, at home to Hull KR, could have been the last in the club's history and not surprisingly it was a sombre affair.

In the end the fears proved unfounded as, thanks to the intervention of John Stabler and Russell Greenfield, the High Court deferred the case until August 9. The outstanding £77,000 has since been found to pay off the Inland Revenue in full which should see the case dismissed at the next hearing.

With their future secured, and a stream-lined board of Ann Garvey, Richard Collier and Derek Collinson in place, the only thing left was to end the season in style.

Unfortunately, that was one miracle that no-one could pull off. Half centuries were conceded in three successive matches before Friday night's uninspiring 14-12 win against Lancashire

The epic season couldn't have been much worse but it may also prove a watershed as York start next year with a clean slate and try to ensure the 2000 nightmare quickly becomes a distant memory.

PICTURE: STANDING TALL: Steve Hill's consistently high standards in a dreadful season earned him the supporters' Player of the Year