WHAT a difference a week makes, especially in sport.

Not long ago, there was a suggestion that York Wasps might get to play home fixtures at Bootham Crescent, home of York City FC.

Now, it looks like City might soon be playing their home games at Huntington Stadium, home of the Wasps.

For anyone holidaying on Mars this last week, the news is that the football club, already up for sale, will have to vacate their home of nearly 70 years unless the buyer - presuming one can be found - also purchases Bootham Crescent for about £4.5 million.

If that does not happen, the only option open to any new owner of the club would be to relocate - potentially to Huntington Stadium.

Wasps vice-chairman Russell Greenfield has already given his backing to a 'sporting merger' of the clubs in the form of a ground-share, albeit while saying Huntington Stadium could not be ready for City in time for next season.

However, if the Minstermen were to move to Monks Cross, a major investment would be necessary to upgrade Huntington Stadium to Football League standards.

And the question is where would that investment come from? Would the buyers of York City prefer to pay for a redevelopment rather than Bootham Crescent itself?

However, to take a positive out of the Minstermen's situation, this could be a nettle for the city of York - not just the sporting clubs, but also local businesses, the Council and fans themselves - to grasp.

With the Wasps having outlined a desire to get into Super League within five years, Huntington Stadium would have to be upgraded anyway, coincidentally to a higher capacity than Football League regulations.

There would also be added benefits for Wasps and their supporters.

For example, the ground itself would be given higher profile, facilities there would be improved, and bus services to it would be enhanced. Running costs could be shared with the football club, and some soccer fans might even grow an affinity for rugby league and bump up attendances.

It has been claimed in some quarters that the Wasps' move out of the city centre has been detrimental, but in most other cases around the country, out-of-town sporting stadia have been successful.

Obviously, this is currently nothing more than a pipe-dream, but a new improved Huntington Stadium this year or next could be the catalyst for greater things, for both the Wasps and the football club.

In the meantime, let's just hope City survive.

FANCY sponsoring a Wasps player as the club bid to fly up the NFP table?

An opportunity for fans, businesses or even individuals to become player sponsors has arisen, given the recent influx of new blood into the Wasps squad.

The benefits for the players and thus the team are obvious, while those for the potential sponsors are also excellent.

For details, contact Ann Garvey on 01904 634636.

WASPS captain Peter Edwards earned his first player of the year points on Sunday for a no-holds-barred performance against Oldham.

A number of players came close to picking up the man of the match award but the nod finally went to the Kiwi, whose fighting spirit epitomised the team's battling display, albeit in defeat.

Ben Sorbello was almost faultless at full-back, pulling off some try-saving tackles and coming close to opening his account at the other end.

Although he lost the ball in the tackle as he crossed the line - he later explained he couldn't see the markings on the mud-baked pitch and tried to flick the ball to unmarked winger Gavin Molloy - it would have been a deserved score for the Aussie, and he was awarded two player of the year points.

The final point went to Mark Cain, whose prompting from half-back caused Oldham many problems, while his kicks led directly to all of York's three tries. On another day he could easily have been the top man.

The Wasps' man of the match in each game receives three points, the second best player two points and the third best one point. Whoever tops the table at the end of the season will receive £350 courtesy of Guildford Construction, with the runner-up winning £150.

Player of the Year standings: Mick Docherty 6pts, Mark Cain 4, Carl Hall 4, Jon Liddell 3, Peter Edwards 3, Ben Sorbello 3, Andy Precious 1.

Updated: 13:18 Saturday, January 12, 2002