If York Rugby League club fail to gain promotion this summer then it will cease to be run as a professional club.

The Wasps face their biggest challenge in their 113-year history, said Chief Executive Phil Elliott, who revealed that the Rugby League Football League may merge the weaker professional clubs with the best of the amateurs next year.

If York do not go up, then it is possible they could be rubbing shoulders with near neighbours Heworth and clubs from outside the game's traditional heartland next year.

The RL wants to boost the eight-team division with go-ahead clubs from the National Conference and Alliance leagues as well as throw the door open to teams from areas like Birmingham, Worcester and Ipswich.

A committee is being set up to look at possible expansion but will set minimum standards to make sure new entrants are up to scratch.To avoid joining the ranks of the amateurs the club are making a "do or die" attempt to win promotion - and say the missing fans must come back if professional rugby is to survive in the city.

Elliott said: "The club believes that for Rugby League to thrive in the City of York it must have a professional club as a window to the bigger game which provides scope and resources for the area.

"To that end we have 'primed the pump' and brought good players to the club at quite a significant cost, a cost which is not affordable and will quickly run the club into the red should we win an gain no support.

"Should we lose, the story is academic. There will be no professional rugby in the city after this year.

"Five hundred spectators at games will mean the club will fold, win or lose. The gate needs to be 1,200 per game and we will flourish. It really is put up of shut up time for the club."

It is a year since the club was offered for sale for £1 by former chairman John Stabler.

"Much has happened in that year, most traumatic," said Elliott, "Indeed the view at the club that it was always facing imminent closure. Were it not for cash inputs, both personally and from friends, of near £80,000 in the last year York would not have a professional Rugby League club.

"We believe we have done our very best and we are confident the players will deliver, but neither can wait for our supporters to trickle back after winning three or four matches."

York will get an early indication of the support for the club when they tackle Leeds Rhinos in a high-profile friendly tomorrow at Huntington Stadium (7.30pm).

The second division campaign starts with a home game against Bramley on Sunday April 10 and Elliott pulled no punches over the need for a big crowd.

"We urge the missing 500 to return and support the players from the start or otherwise we will all be presiding over the closing of York Rugby League Club during the 1998 season."

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