Make or break, do or die, now or never - whichever way you slant it - 1998 is a crucial season for York Rugby League Club.

Against the backdrop of a "first division rugby or the club folds" statement from the board, coach Dean Robinson has the task of shielding the players from the weight of promotion or bust pressure.

The Wasps boss will also have to cope with a rare level of expectation at Huntington Stadium, as rival coaches list his squad among the strongest in the second division.

Said the coach: "If the board say it is promotion or no rugby league club then it is promotion or no rugby league club. Obviously it puts pressure on my shoulders but we might as well know where we stand from the off.

"It is no use telling us mid-season that if we do not get promoted the club is, perhaps, not going to be in existence. We all know from the start so we can double our efforts accordingly."

The Wasps have recruited wisely in the close season, capturing players from first division squads rather than players already surplus to requirements at second division level.

And Robinson is confident he has assembled a squad capable of the promotion-winning season the club craves.

"I am confident in the players I have brought in. It is a matter of getting rid of some complacency in the camp. One or two players believed the second division is less tough than what they have been used to," said Robinson.

"They are in for a big shock. Reputations will count for nothing this season. It is all about proving yourself every time we go out to perform. Hopefully, that will be learned very quickly, if not they will be sat with me."

The coach believes indifferent friendly performances against Doncaster and Heworth will be exchanged for the form displayed against Leeds when the season kicks off tomorrow.

"When the chips are really down we will see what these players are made of. When they were really going for it against Leeds we gave a great account of ourselves," he said.

The coach refused to single out key players in his squad, but signings such as full-back John Strange, Matt Lambert and Mick Ramsden, with their collective first division know-how, clearly have an important part to play.

Robinson added: "I will be looking for big seasons from everybody in the camp and the players are responding to that so far. For example, Lea Tichener is playing some of the best rugby he has played for a while.

"It is not just the new faces giving their all. The players I have kept from last year have got to improve on their performances and gel as a team. I am not going to put pressure on individual players.

"It is a matter of all the players in the squad achieving something, both as an individual and as a team, to get us promotion. The pressure, if anything, rests on my shoulders."

The key to the Wasps promotion campaign, as with many other sides, will be their form away from Huntington Stadium.

Said Robinson: "If every club in the division is expecting to win their home games then it is the sides that travel well who will go up. I think everyone will concur with that view.

"On our past three or four seasons it looks as if we have not got a chance. Last season there was a mental problem about going away. It seemed to me they were a different team away from home.

"It is something we need to address very quickly. Batley away on Easter Monday is the start of ten very tough tests away. It is down to the players when they cross the white line."

The club are keen to jettison an unhappy recent history on and off the field, and there is no better way to achieve that than to win promotion.

But Robinson said: "History counts for nothing. The side has changed beyond all recognition. If we give 100 per cent each and every game I am confident we will go up.

"As long as we achieve our potential, that is what I am looking for." class of '98: York RL's 1998 squad, back row, from left: Brian Kellett (assistant coach), Alex Godfrey, Matt Lambert, Paul Darley, Andy Precious, Mick Ramsden, Greg Gregory (sprint coach), Steve Harris (statistician).Middle row, from left: Tony Gargan (youth development officer), Steve Hill, Scott Limb, Mark Cain, Dean Robinson (head coach), David Brook, Shaun Austerfield, John Paterson (assistant coach), Simon Hartley (conditioner).Front row, from left: Lea Tichener, Andy Hill, Craig Booth, Alan Pallister (club captain), Lee Hanlan, Leigh Deakin, Chris Hopcutt. Squad players not pictured: Andy Preston, John Strange, Justin Eldershaw, Geoff Woodward, Stuart Flowers, Rich Harrison, Mick Hagan, Spencer Hargrave.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.