FORMER York Wasps star Andrew Lambert would be prepared to quit Australia and return to Huntington Stadium should a new club get the go-ahead.

The Aussie centre contacted the Evening Press via e-mail to pass on his best wishes to the fans and the people trying to resurrect the club. And he said he would like to play a part in the new club's rise if given the chance.

"The one thing that I have noticed and enjoyed was the honest loyalty and love that York Wasps followers have for their team and town, and it would be a great shame if the famous York club was lost forever," he said.

"However, I know this would not be the case thanks to the people who are helping York return to the playing paddock."

Lambert played for the Wasps in 2000 - a season which had its own share of turmoil, including a winding up order and the controversial departures of coaches Dean Robinson and John Paterson - before returning Down Under.

He played 20 times for Wasps that year, scoring seven tries to end as the club's second-highest try scorer behind Mark Cain.

He added: "If York were to get back in tomorrow I would gain a release from my contract and return to York if they would have me."

Lambert also cited Aussie giants South Sydney Rabbitohs as an excellent example of how a club could bounce back.

"I know the feeling of playing for a club only to turn up for training and being told you're out of a job as I had that in 1999 when playing for the Gold Coast Chargers in the NRL.

"We experienced the exact same as the York players - as did the Perth Reds, Adelaide Rams and later the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

"If anyone thinks that York are lost forever they should stop and think about what the Rabittohs achieved this year. With local and business support they returned to the NRL bigger and better."

Lambert has also offered to send signed NRL jumpers for auction to help raise funds for the club and/or the proposed supporters' trust. He added: "All the best in your quest for reinstatement to the footy."

Updated: 12:01 Monday, May 20, 2002