THE future of professional rugby league in York is entirely in the supporters' hands - and their pockets.

It has been confirmed that the proposed new club will be admitted to the Rugby Football League next season only if they can bank a minimum of £75,000 within the next month.

The men behind the application have also stressed the need to raise £250,000 before the start of next season, in March next year, for the club to have a good enough structure to be competitive - otherwise "there would be no point carrying on".

Fans who met at Huntington Stadium last night were told of the provisos by chief executive in waiting Steve Ferres and leading members of the proposed supporters trust.

However, those men behind the bid have already earmarked a plan for raising the cash - an innovative club membership scheme costing £250 per person per year, to which 1,000 fans now need to sign up before next season.

Such membership - effectively costing the "price of two pints per week" - would comprise a season ticket, match-day benefits, and a networking system whereby members can acquire benefits, such as financial discounts, from other members and businesses within the scheme.

Ferres said: "York RL are required to demonstrate to the RFL that they have £75,000 start-up capital by August 31.

"That £75,000 is the minimum amount needed to run a club at the bottom of the Northern Ford Premiership for half a season; you'd need £150,000 for a year. But to get to the top half and be competitive and have a proper structure you would need a turnover of £250,000 per year.

"Getting a winning team on the field is not that difficult - the hard part is getting there."

As reported by the Evening Press last week, the RFL Council is expected to rubber-stamp York's application for league membership when it meets tomorrow, following approval from the RFL board of directors and Association of Premiership Clubs.

The champagne, however, remains on ice.

"I previously said I was 99.9 per cent certain our application would be accepted and I think we will get approval tomorrow," added Ferres. "But the hard work has only just begun."

The supporters trust quickly raised £30,000 following the shock closure of York Wasps earlier in the present season, but this fresh cash-flow via the membership scheme is now needed to reach the new targets, the immediate goal being £75,000.

"Super League football with York is achievable," said Ferres, who is regarded as one of the most astute figures in the game. "But it is not achievable nor worthwhile contemplating, in my opinion, if it is not done right. And for it to be done right, we need £250,000 by March.

"I'm not interested in taking it forward on a bit-part basis. I want to give you what you want: a successful team. In fact I'm looking forward to building a winning team, but we need these resources to do that."

Last night's meeting was only convened at short notice - the letter confirming the RFL's stipulation was only received yesterday afternoon - yet about 50 die-hard fans still turned up.

Another meeting at Huntington Stadium has now been arranged for next Monday, 7.30pm start - and it is hoped a full house will be in attendance, especially as the future of professional rugby league is effectively entering a make-or-break period.

"It's vitally important we pack the room next week," said Ferres.

FANS wishing to commit themselves to the new club should send cheques (payable to York RLFC Supporters Club) to Bank House, 1 The Square, Stamford Bridge, York, YO41 1AG, before August 21. The deadline date is ten days before the survival date set by the RFL to allow cheques to clear.

Updated: 15:37 Tuesday, July 30, 2002