The Rugby Football League have put a block on York Rugby League Club making any dealings in the transfer market.

The club were hit by a transfer embargo after failing to settle outstanding cash owed on Mick Ramsden's move from Wakefield Trinity in the close season.

The RFL have banned the Wasps from making any further signings until the full Ramsden transfer fee is paid to the First Division leaders.

Loose forward Ramsden re-joined the Wasps from Trinity in January for an undisclosed fee, which the Evening Press understands was in the region of £7,000.

Trinity chief executive Steve Ferres claimed the matter was dealt with by RFL headquarters and that the First Division club were not "looking to give York a bad press". However, Ferres confirmed that payment of the Ramsden transfer fee was overdue "as far as we know".

Wasps general manager Mick Scaife was unaware of any transfer embargo on the club and claimed a cheque was issued for the fee. "As far as I am aware the Ramsden transfer went through. The paperwork was done. The cheque left us and is in the system," said Scaife.

The club faced a similar transfer ban last season after a mix-up over payments to Bradford Bulls for then assistant coach and player Jon Hamer.

The embargo prevented the Wasps from strengthening their squad for the end-of-season Divisional Premiership games.

Meanwhile, First Division Hunslet Hawks may be lining up a swoop for leading scorer Leigh Deakin. Hawks coach David Plange, eager to strengthen his squad for the run in to the First Division Grand Final, has made inquiries about the 25-year-old winger.

Losing 12-try Deakin would be a major blow to the Wasps at such a crucial stage in the season, particularly as the transfer ban would prevent them drafting in a replacement.

The winger is among the Second Division's most prolific try scorers, grabbing his tries from just 11 starts, and has formed a destructive partnership with centre Shaun Austerfield this season.

And, with York two points off the Second Division pace with just seven games remaining, coach Dean Robinson is keen to hang on to Deakin's try poaching ability.

Said the coach: "As far as I am concerned Hunslet have made no approach for Leigh.

"I did speak to David Plange last week and he checked on Leigh's availability, but I told him he figured too highly in my plans and the club's future and basically it was left at that."

Robinson added that the two coaches shared a joke about a possible swap deal involving Hunslet's highly-rated duo Paul Mansson and Lafaele Filipo.

"My parting shot was that if he was interested I would take Mansson and Filipo in part exchange and we both laughed. That is how it was left," said Robinson. "I did know Leigh was interesting Hunslet, as he has interested other clubs. But he figures too highly in the set up and hopefully we will give him First Division rugby next year."

Transfer activity between York and Hunslet has been feverish in the first six months of 1998, with Rich Hayes moving to South Leeds Stadium and Craig Booth, David Brook, Lee Hanlan, Paul White and Stuart Flowers heading in the opposite direction.

Deakin, who has scored 55 tries in 73 York career appearances, has experience at a higher level with Leeds and Hull.

Super League clubs have repeated their support for the new BSkyB television deal that will net them £45million over the next five years. They need the support of four representatives from the First and Second Division Association (FASDA) to win the vote at tomorrow's special general meeting of all 31 clubs at Headingley.

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