Long-serving back row forward Mick Ramsden has revealed his intention to hang up his boots next year - but first wants to ensure he goes out on a high with his beloved York Wasps.

Ramsden, who will be 30 in November, thought about calling it quits this year after another injury-plagued campaign.

But he did not want his final year to go down as the worst in York's history which has spurred him on to give it one more shot.

"From my point of view I want one more good season. I considered retiring this year, but I want to finish on a high with a good York team," said Ramsden after completing his ninth season with York, split by a couple of years at Wakefield Trinity.

"I've got it in mind that next year will be my last. I just hope we can turn it around, get a committed team and put York back on the rugby map."

Luckless Ramsden's appearances have been reduced in recent seasons due to troublesome injuries.

After missing large parts of the 1999 and 2000 seasons with a serious knee injury, he was ruled out for the first half of this campaign with a hamstring problem.

But he battled back to fitness to make his return at Rochdale in April - a match which ended in a club record 98-0 defeat.

"I didn't enjoy that game at all," reflected Ramsden. "We didn't compete at all. That was the worst point of this season for me but the week after we picked up again.

"The whole thing has been a total disaster this year. All you can do is try and concentrate on your own game and try and get as much out of each game individually as you can."

Ramsden was one of just four players who started the season who were in the team beaten 84-1 by Leigh in the final match on Sunday, the others being Andy Precious, Alan Pallister and Matt Mulholland.

The constant change of personnel, mainly due to the club entering into a Company Voluntary Arrangement, has proved one of the biggest factors in the Wasps finishing bottom of the Northern Ford Premiership.

Ramsden said: "We've had different players every week and Lee Crooks has had to train new players all the time.

"A lot of times I've played in sides and haven't known what the name of the players next to me is. That makes it very difficult."

Despite repeated heavy defeats, a small contingent of York fans have stuck by the team home and away and Ramsden was quick to pay tribute to their loyal support.

"I'd like to thank the die-hard supporters that have followed us all year.

"There's not many of them but I think it's great what they do, and I know the other players feel the same.

"They haven't jumped a sinking ship and that's appreciated. I hope they, and a lot more, will come back next year when hopefully things will improve."

Adding his thoughts about the resignation of coach Lee Crooks a fortnight ago, he said: "I just wish it would have been Lee getting a second chance. He deserved it and never got it."

Don't miss the Evening Press tomorrow for Dianne Hillaby's extensive low-down on the 2000-01 campaign, which proved one of the most mind-boggingly turbulent in Wasps' recent history.

Updated: 12:29 Wednesday, July 04, 2001