Lee Crooks' future as York Wasps coach is hanging in the balance after the club revealed they were not in a position to offer him a new contract.

The financial state of the Wasps means they are unable to offer contracts until they have money in place for next season.

That has effectively ruled out any chance of extending Crooks' contract which expires at the end of the current season.

However, vice-chairman Russell Greenfield has not ruled out Crooks staying on as coach once the money is forthcoming.

Greenfield confirmed they were close to tying up a major sponsorship with a multi-national company.

If the deal comes off, the position of head coach will be re-advertised with Crooks certain to make the short-list - if he reapplies.

"We told Lee last night we would not be renewing his contract when it comes up on July 7," Greenfield said.

"It would be stupid offering him a contract when we haven't got the money or sponsorship in place for next season.

"Because we are in a CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement) then until we get the money in place we are not in a position to authorise credit which is the same as authorising contracts.

"I feel very strongly that if we pull in this multi-national deal which we're very close to doing, and which will be the biggest any Northern Ford Premiership team has ever had, we can expect local businesses to back us.

"When we get the cash then we'll get a coach and we'll get some top players. But what we don't want to do is make the same mistake which York and other clubs have done in the past which is spend money before we've got it."

Former Great Britain international Crooks today declined to comment on the situation until he has discussed certain matters with the club.

He was travelling to York this morning for further talks with Greenfield.

It has been a disappointing season for York and Crooks, who held such high hopes when he arrived as coach at the start of the campaign.

After assembling a competitive squad, it was ripped apart when the club took the decision to enter into a CVA in January to clear their debts.

The squad was decimated as players rejected the new terms on offer, forcing Crooks to turn to amateurs and trialists to see out the season.

It has resulted in some massive defeats, including a club record 98-0 loss at Rochdale and most recently a 92-2 reverse at Featherstone on Sunday.

Despite his frustration, former Keighley boss Crooks has remained loyal throughout and just last week stated his desire to stay at York to "complete the job I set out to do."

He remains one of the most highly-rated young coaches in the game and was recently rewarded with the job of Yorkshire chief for the Origin Game against Lancashire.

He has made no secret of the fact he wants to progress his coaching career to a higher level, his next step likely to be as an assistant with a Super League club.

Now Crooks faces the difficult decision of whether to reapply for the York job when it is advertised or take the opportunity to climb that next step up the ladder.

Updated: 10:03 Wednesday, June 20, 2001