YORK Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey has confirmed the club are in discussions with former fans' favourite Peter Edwards.

The ex-Auckland Warriors and Salford City Reds hooker left Huntington Stadium for Doncaster in late 1999 but has not signed a new deal with the Dragons for the forthcoming season.

Re-signing the 32-year-old former New Zealand international would be a major coup for the club, but Garvey told the Evening Press there were still a few hurdles to overcome.

"I am still in negotiations with him and we hope to know more this week," she said.

"I don't know if he's talking to other clubs although I think there would be others after him.

"I've been speaking to him for the last eight weeks on various things, and there are a couple of stumbling blocks. But I'm hoping to meet up with him during the course of this week to see if we can strike a deal."

Edwards played for Salford from 1996 following his move from Auckland Warriors. He joined Wasps from the Reds in late 1998 and gave consistently high-quality performances, being made captain in the second half of the campaign, before signing for the Dragons for the following season.

At the time, the Kiwi told the Evening Press he did not want to leave York but could not afford to sign a new deal at Huntington Stadium under the terms offered by the club, who were having to cut the wage bill to secure their financial security. However, he did continue to live in Heslington with his wife and children.

"I honestly don't think he would have left Wasps if we had not reduced wages that year," said Garvey.

"He's a very good hooker. He was very much a fans' favourite here and has also been popular with the Doncaster supporters during his time there. He gives 100 per cent to whichever club he's with."

Garvey is also hoping that negotiations with three French stars come to fruition later this week.

Meanwhile, utility back Callum Irving has re-signed trialist forms with the Wasps.

The Cumbrian-born student signed last season when he was the 20-year-old captain of the York University side and he has since represented Scotland Students.

He didn't get much chance to shine during his six games in a losing Wasps side but nevertheless became a familiar figure at the club.

* York Wasps have revealed a startling new initiative designed to attract more youngsters to home games.

Any fans under the age of 16 can buy a season ticket for a cut-price fee of £25 - and they get a replica Wasps shirt, which usually retail for about £35, for free.

As reported season ticket prices have again been set at £120 for adults and £84 for senior citizens, though the club have offered an 'early bird' deal of £110 and £77, respectively, for fans who buy their tickets before the end of October.

Updated: 09:08 Tuesday, October 09, 2001