York City chairman John Batchelor is looking to establish a new rugby league team to fill the void left by the demise of York Wasps.

The new team would become the third prong in Batchelor's growing sporting empire, competing alongside the football club and his motor racing team.

The City supremo believes his plans would offer a clean break from the Wasps debacle, with any new team operating under a new name.

He would also be willing to work with the Wasps fans who are currently trying to resurrect professional rugby league in York.

Batchelor, who has also hinted at a link-up with another "bigger" rugby league club, admitted his plans were at an early stage.

However, he insists they are genuine and has not ruled out a York City Rugby League team competing in the new look National League next season.

"I am looking at what we can do with regards rugby league," Batchelor told the Evening Press.

"We have a venue, there is an opportunity and there are other people who want to make it work. Maybe it's a goer."

He insisted: "It wouldn't be a case of resurrecting the Wasps.

"I don't think that name now would be a good name to have particularly given all that has happened recently and the results they have had.

"If we are going to do it I would want the success associated with the football club.

"But obviously there is a gap for the sport in the city.

"There is also an opportunity of a link-up with a bigger club and it would be good for us because it would give us a foot-hold in three sports.

"I had a meeting this week and I will have another meeting next week and the week after. They will dictate whether it is possible to do it for next year."

The development marks something of an about turn by the City chief, who had earlier insisted the football club would not share their facilities with rugby league.

The expected damage to the Bootham Crescent pitch as it played host to so much sport was cited as the main reason for the City chairman's initial reluctance.

"There is an issue with the pitch but with the club having folded we can now look at it with a clean sheet and think 'right, can we have a York City Rugby League team?'" explained Batchelor.

"Maybe we can, so we are conducting some investigations on what the pitch would look like, what damage it would do and how much time would we lose working on the pitch.

"That will probably dictate it while we are still in this stadium. In the new stadium, we will be able to choose what sort of pitch we will have."

Batchelor meanwhile hopes to unveil City's new strip within the next four weeks and publish the club's new badge towards the end of next week.

"I hope we can also unveil some of the product ranges, like the lingerie, then as well," said Batchelor.

City are still in talks with Reading over the disputed £50,000 believed to be owed to the Minstermen following the Royals promotion to Division One.

A clause inserted in the deal that took Graeme Murty from Bootham Crescent to the Madejski Stadium guaranteed City the money if Reading sealed promotion.

The Royals claim because Murty signed a new contract at the start of this season the agreement is no longer valid.

"We are still talking to them but in my view they haven't got a leg to stand on," said Batchelor.

"If it has to go to a tribunal then we will do so."

Updated: 11:39 Friday, May 24, 2002