York Wasps could be facing a County Court hearing after failing to meet the deadline to pay compensation to former coaches Dean Robinson and John Paterson.

The pair won their claim for constructive dismissal against the club at an employment tribunal hearing on October 7.

They were awarded a combined total of more than £17,000 in compensation, which should have been paid by November 27.

However, they have still not received the cash and the Rugby League Coaches' Association today confirmed they have begun legal proceedings against the club.

Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey today insisted the club were insured against such an event and had only just become aware the insurance company had not paid up.

A meeting has now been arranged for tomorrow night between Garvey, the insurance company and the club's major creditors when they will try and resolve the situation.

She said: "At the tribunal I asked the insurance company if they would pay and they assured me they would. The Coaches' Association have written to me to say the insurance company hasn't paid so I have written to them to ask why. I wasn't satisfied with their answer so we have arranged a meeting for tomorrow night."

The identity of the insurance company was not revealed in court at their request and Garvey said she wished to honour that agreement.

Neil Derrick, secretary of the Coaches' Association who are representing Robinson and Paterson, said: "I have pursued the club's representative who said it was a technical, bureaucratic hitch.

"At the same time I wrote to the club telling them the money was overdue and saying we wanted the payment with interest but had no response.

"The next stage which I've taken is to instruct the coaches' union solicitor to begin County Court proceedings to recover the debt.

"That may have profound implications for the club which is why I'm trying to get them to respond. The County Court will bring a judgement to force the club to pay it in a certain time or admit they can't. If they can't they are looking at a winding-up situation."

Former head coach Robinson was awarded £13,514 in compensation and ex-assistant Paterson was awarded £4,053.

Interest is now accumulating daily on the money. Derrick added: "Every day that goes by it's costing the club money."

Robinson said he just wanted answers. "I just want some dialogue so I know where we stand," he said.

"If there had been a letter or phone call telling us there was a bit of a problem and explaining the situation I would be happy. Without dialogue we're all guessing."

Robinson was also owed £836 in unpaid wages and Paterson £564 which has since been paid.

Paterson and Robinson resigned as the Wasps coaches in March this season, claiming the club had made it impossible to continue working there.

The employment tribunal found in favour of the pair.

Following the verdict, Garvey said: "I can guarantee here and now that this financial settlement will not affect the running of the club.

"We were well insured for this and York Wasps will continue to operate as normal."

Neither Paterson or Robinson have been involved in coaching since leaving York.

dianne.hillaby@ycp.co.uk