THE consortium looking to take a major share in York Wasps has been in talks with City of York Council about developing a stadium - which it says could yet be shared with York City FC.

Negotiations with the council have been ongoing as the consortium seeks guarantees that structures could be put in place to help make the rugby league club a success.

Those structures include things like programmes to promote the game in the community, while the development of a ground - either Huntington Stadium or an entirely new site - would be high on the agenda.

As reported in the Evening Press, the consortium and Wasps fans are now planning to set up a new club to apply for re-election to the Rugby Football League next year rather than this season.

Solicitor Roger Dixon, a member of the working party which is to form a supporters' trust to take a share in that new club, has also been involved in the talks with the council.

"From my experience the council is largely in support of this club," he said.

"It is not in a position to help us financially but it has given us tremendous encouragement and would make resources open to us.

"It wants to work directly with the club and is very happy to work with us over either revamping this stadium or locating another venue."

A City of York Council spokesman said any decision on a new stadium or redeveloping Huntington Stadium for the Wasps ultimately hinged on whether the RFL would grant the club's re-election for next season.

"But we want to work with the club to help fulfil their ambitions and we are keen to support them in anyway we can," said the council spokesman.

Dixon said: "It seems to me it would be an idea to explore whether the football club might be interested in having a partnership going forward, with a joint stadium. Not the football club's stadium, not the rugby club's, but 'ours'."

York City have been in separate talks with the council as they seek a site for a new stadium, which would replace Bootham Crescent as their new home.

It is believed two possible sites have been located, though the football club have not yet applied for planning permission.

Dixon said: "I've had no discussions with the new board at City.

"But if there's a five-year plan to get the rugby club into Super League it's not rocket science to deduce that a partnership of football club, rugby club and city council would be beneficial. The best way forward could be to have us playing in one stadium."

City chairman and owner John Batchelor had previously rejected talk of the football club sharing its ground with the Wasps.

However, speaking to the Evening Press today, Batchelor would not dismiss the idea.

"Where the football club is at the moment, it is difficult to use the pitch for anything more than football," said the City supremo.

"The problems we have encountered with the pitch this season have been well documented and we have suffered a number of injuries because of it.

"In the new stadium and with a new playing surface it might be a possibility and it is not something I would automatically rule out.

"However, at Bootham Crescent it would be a non-starter."

The council spokesman said it was too early to say whether the council would look favourably on any joint stadium venture.

"We are still working closely with the football club and we are keen to hear what everyone has got to say in terms of a multi-purpose stadium," he said.

"Clearly, it is a matter that involves a variety of different partners but everyone is working together in the city to ensure professional sport can prosper."

Updated: 11:29 Tuesday, May 07, 2002