YORK Wasps were today welcoming the dawn of a new era after raising the money needed to safeguard the club's future.

One of the men behind the rescue package, Russell Greenfield, was today contacting the Inland Revenue to inform them that York can pay in full the £77,000 which they owe in unpaid taxes.

Some of the cash has come from money due to York from the Rugby Football League, with local businesses making up the shortfall.

It is expected the winding-up petition against the club will now be dismissed before the scheduled High Court hearing on August 9.

Greenfield said today: "I think this is the dawn of a new era."

A new three-man board of directors will be at the helm to lead the Wasps into that new era.

Richard Collier, owner of Copmanthorpe-based firm Collier Plant Hire, chief executive Ann Garvey, who will also be the club's RFL council representative, and club doctor Derek Collinson will take the reins.

One of the trio, who are the newest members of the 'old' board, is expected to be confirmed as chairman in the next couple of days.

All the other directors have resigned, while Greenfield and John Stabler will now take a back seat to concentrate on their roles as Hull FC directors.

"The new board of directors will have complete autonomy. They've got complete control of the club," said Greenfield, adding that the new regime would have money for team strengthening.

"They will have money for new players. There will be a lot of new players because we have got to go forward.

"I think the people in York should get good rugby next season."

Garvey confirmed they had already started looking towards next season's team.

"I spoke to the players last night and asked them to give their names to Garry (Atkins) those that wished to be retained," she said.

"We want players who want to play for York and who want to go out and win games.

"We will be looking at next season's team within the next couple of weeks. Everyone will be doing the same thing and the last thing we want is to be the last team to be approaching players."

Greenfield paid tribute to RFL chairman Sir Rodney Walker and John Stabler for the role they have played in saving the Wasps.

He said: "Without Sir Rodney and the (RFL) directors we'd have been beaten.

"I have got to thank them for giving us tremendous help, and other businesses in York.

"Unless I'd had John Stabler I wouldn't have got anywhere. He is very highly thought of at the Rugby League and if it hadn't been for him I would have had to give personal guarantees but I haven't had to do that."

Garvey was also full of praise for Greenfield and Stabler, who came to the club's rescue at the 11th hour.

"They have worked extremely hard. It can't be stated enough how everyone should thank them both - they have worked a miracle.

"Now it's up to everyone - the club, the board, the supporters and the city - to make sure we go forward," she said.

One of the Wasps big tasks now is attracting sponsors for next year and to help in that aim they have appointed a new commercial manager.

Lifelong Wasps supporter Gary Hall, 46, an international sales executive for an Oxfordshire-based firm, is helping out free of charge.