York Wasps supporters have been given the chance to own a stake in the club after 20,000 shares were put up for grabs.

The shares have been returned by an existing holder, thought to be former chairman John Stabler, and are now available in minimum lots of 50 at a cost of £1 each.

Chief executive Jim Race said that under a legal agreement he was unable to reveal where the shares had come from and would only say: "There are 20,000 shares that have suddenly been returned by a supporter in order to help the club and they will be re-issued.

"All share dealings have to be approved by the board of directors but there won't be a problem for anybody who wants to buy them. All money will come direct to the club."

Stabler also refused to confirm if he was the supporter in question but the most recent club accounts, for the year ended November 1997, suggest he is the only shareholder with a sufficient number. Those accounts reveal that, at that time, Stabler, who is now involved with the new Gateshead Thunder club, was the biggest shareholder with 41,660, ahead of current chairman Trevor Cox with 15,010.

The shares available are about one seventh of the total number of 150,000.

The buying of shares would entitle the holder to attend the club's annual general meeting and vote on key issues such as the election and re-election of board members.

Anybody interested in purchasing some of the shares should telephone Jim Race at the club on 01904 634636.

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