HEARTBROKEN York Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey blamed poor sponsorship and disappointing gates for the demise of York Wasps, writes Peter Martini.

"(Chairman) John Stabler announced to the club last night that the club would not continue, as of yesterday," she told the Evening Press.

"I'm a very heartbroken woman.

"I've put a lot of hours of hard work into that club, and I feel more disappointed for the coach and the players than for anybody else.

"If somebody came in with a bit of money the club could be saved.

"But I think we would need a stronger team and we'd certainly need a lot more supporters than we were getting recently.

"Sponsorship has also been very poor. We need good backing of local companies, but that's been the downfall of the club for a long time now.

"We tried to raise money by having a car raffle and we've done everything we can but it's no good.

"Without better gates and better sponsorship, including the sponsorship we've got, I don't think the club could continue.

"I think all the directors felt they would not want the club ever to get into the position of the last few years, with big debts.

"As it stands the club has folded and there will be no game this weekend."

Updated: 11:21 Wednesday, March 20, 2002