YORK Wasps have had to cancel tomorrow night's dinner in aid of captain Alan Pallister's testimonial - because not enough fans bothered to buy tickets.

The club had organised a plush three-course dinner with guest speakers, plus auction, in one last bid to raise funds for the deserving club stalwart.

But so few tickets were bought that costs outweighed gains and the club had no option but to call it off.

However, in a final determined bid to raise funds for Pally, the auction will still go ahead as planned, with all fans urged to turn up and show support for the 30-year-old.

Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey said: "We're terribly disappointed that the response has been so poor, albeit that the dinner was arranged at short notice.

"But we hope that the supporters will still come to the auction and come in full force."

Pallister's testimonial year, which ends this month, has suffered due to the knock-on effects of the Wasps' financial woes.

But with those troubles now behind them, the club had hoped to finish his year with a bang.

Said Garvey: "We wanted to arrange this bash to help give him a reasonable testimonial after all that's happened.

"We had to do it at short notice because time is running out on his year, but we're really disappointed with the response."

More than 40 sporting goodies (the lots are listed in a panel, right) have been donated to the auction, which will take place at Huntington Stadium tomorrow at 7.30pm.

If anyone is unable to be there on the night but wishes to make a bid for one or more of the items they are urged to contact Michael Chatten from the supporters' club on 07703 344306.

Garvey added: "We hope the supporters will come out and give Pally one last go at raising some money."

Super Pally's grab-it list

No 1: Alan Pallister's signed old away number nine shirt. No 2: Alan Pallister's signed old home number nine shirt. No 3: Auckland Warriors Rugby League Club drill top. No 4: Framed Australia national team signed World Cup shirt. No 5: Celtic FC pennant. No 6: Barrow Border Raiders RL Club replica jersey. No 7: Video of Celtic FC and Sweden hero Henrik Larsson and poster. No 8: Dewsbury Rams RL Club number six shirt as worn by a player. No 9: Doncaster Rovers FC signed shirt. No 10: Golf club head cover. No 11: Everton FC signed football. No 12: Featherstone Rovers RL Club signed ball. No 13: Glasgow Rangers FC tie. No 14: York to Kings Cross return ticket.

No 15: Huddersfield Town FC special edition Millennium programme. No 16: Hunslet Hawks RL Club replica jersey. No 17: Ipswich Town FC signed Wembley picture. No 18: Padded rugby top. No 19: Leeds United FC autograph sheet. No 20: Leeds United FC signed poster. No 21: Leeds United FC team photo. No 22: Leigh Centurions RL Club signed shirt. No 23: Manchester United autographed team photo. No 24: Manchester United signed ball. No 25: Bottle of Paddy Old Irish Whiskey. No 26: Middlesbrough FC ground tour for two people. No 27: Oldham RL Club signed shirt. No 28: Pally's mother in law's autographed embroidery collection.

No 29: Rugby ball. No 30: Rochdale Hornets RL Club replica jersey. No 31: St George Dragons RL Club signed shirt. No 32: Sunderland FC limited edition stadium print. No 33: Swallow Hall Golf Club Sunday carvery for two. No 34: 30 Hippo golf balls donated by The Golf Company (Low Petergate), York. No 35: Warrington Wolves RL Club replica jersey number 11 as worn by Ian Knott. No 36: Warrington Wolves RL Club signed shirt. No 37: Western Suburbs Rugby League Club replica shirt. No 38: Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club replica jersey. No 39: Wigan Warriors RL Club signed programme v St Helens. No 40: Workington Town RL drill top. No 41: York City FC two Main Stand tickets for a home League game of your choice. No 42: York City FC signed programme.

Updated: 12:34 Wednesday, October 24, 2001