Wasps woe

by Stuart Martel

Cash-starved York Rugby League Club were today plunged into turmoil after the entire first team squad vowed to boycott a vital match - and pledged not to play in the Wasps colours again.

The Rugby Football League's Chief Executive, Neil Tunnicliffe, said an official was being despatched from RL headquarters in Leeds today to meet the York board to resolve the crisis. Players rejected the board's 11th hour pay offer - which some described as "pathetic" - and have refused to take the field in this Sunday's crucial league fixture at Bramley.

The squad, who have not trained for two weeks, voted unanimously to quit the club following discussions last night with coach Dean Robinson, director Ken Hunter and general manager Mick Scaife.

Chief executive Phil Elliott made an offer to pay 25 per cent of outstanding wages, with the remainder dependent on promotion to the First Division.

The extent of the club's financial plight is not clear, but kit supervisor George Marwood, conditioner Simon Hartley and physiotherapist David May have been axed in a cost-cutting measure.

Leading scorer Leigh Deakin, acting as spokesman for the players, declared the decision to quit was not taken lightly and insisted it was more than simply a matter of money.

Deakin added that several players were planning to consult the players' union and the Rugby Football League about their position.York RL Supporters' Club chairman Dennis Baker declared he was saddened by the situation at Huntington Stadium.

"I am very disappointed, I am very sad for the club," he said. "I don't know where it will end this time. It doesn't look very good."

Chairman Trevor Cox, meanwhile, was today holding talks aimed at resolving the situation and claimed the "door is open" for the players to return.

Relations between the players and the board have deteriorated since the 8-3 defeat at Batley Bulldogs on July 5 - the club's last game before a three-week mid-season break.

Players are angry at suggestions from members of the board that they were lacking in commitment and loyalty to the club.

The walk-out leaves the Wasps with less than five days to settle the dispute or assemble a new squad of players for the trip to Bramley on Sunday.

The board's hands are tied by an RFL transfer embargo, which prevents them making any signings until Wakefield Trinity receive their £7,000 fee for Mick Ramsden.

The Evening Press understands that, should the ban be lifted, there are plans to register a team of Academy members and local amateur players.

However, that course of action would likely provoke strong objections from rival promotion candidates such as Oldham, Lancashire Lynx and Batley Bulldogs.

Meanwhile, Deakin claimed the players were "forced" to boycott the club.

"It is not a decision everyone has taken lightly, it is something we have been forced into. The board would like to think it is because of the money, but it isn't," he said.

"Everyone has refused to play at the weekend. Phil has said we will get 25 per cent but it is not there, it has gone past money. The players are sick about money and have not been paid for seven weeks.

"Phil seems to think he can treat players as he wants. For us to be players we need to be treated like professionals."

The 12-try winger added: "If we don't turn out this weekend they will hold our registrations and make sure we don't play again this season.

"The players are unanimous. The 25 per cent they offered is pathetic. The board have said the display against Batley was the worst they have ever seen by a York side. I believe it is one of the hardest games I have ever played in."

Deakin, along with several other players, believes there is no going back.

"They have gone about everything the wrong way. If the financial situation had been explained a month ago ... but there is no going back now," he said.

"It is an absolute disgrace. The Rugby League is going to hear about all this in the next couple of days. I am sure they will not let this happen to the club.

"It is terrible for the supporters. They have really got behind us this year. We have had some tremendous wins and they have been behind us."

Mr Cox, who has been unable to take a leading role in the pay discussions, told the Evening Press that the players' boycott was "understandable".

Cox admitted that the club were unable to meet the players' contracts on average gates of just 600.

"I am aware of what was being put to the players. I feel extremely sorry for everyone involved with the club," he said.

"I think the players have tried extremely hard all year and I feel disappointed for them. I believe the club will survive and will move on.

"I am working away to try to achieve what we all want. I am not in a position to comment, but I am confident of the outcome.

"I feel sorry for the players, they are professional and, understandably, they want paying. I am not one of those who have criticised them for their approach.

He claimed the club "gambled" on a winning side attracting larger gates.

"The difficulty is, and it is nobody's fault, we cannot pay wages we have agreed to pay on gates of 500. The players are challenging for promotion, but unfortunately the crowds have not come back," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.