AN OMINOUS air of doom has been descending on the NFP this week with yet more worrying stories of financial struggle.

Doncaster have been forced to follow York's lead and seek a Company Voluntary Arrangement to escape their crippling debts.

They have scrapped players' contracts and are now offering match terms only.

And news has now emerged that Hunslet, Grand Final winners just two years ago, have recently been served with a winding-up order for £86,000.

Although the Hawks have been able to come up with the cash this time, they have warned they will not be able to meet a similar debt in the future.

The costs facing the club, outlined by their chairman Grahame Liles, paint a frightening picture of life in the NFP.

Not even taking into account players' wages, he said matchday expenses were £9,000; rent at South Leeds Stadium £26,700 per year; coach hire £7,000/year; medical/insurance £8,500/year and telephone £2,000/year.

Season tickets sales are down £5,000 on last year and projected gate receipts for this season were £40,000, down £20,000 on the figure used to budget this year's spending.

Gate money received from their recent Cup clash with Rochdale was less than £500.

Too many clubs seem to be spending ridiculous amounts based on projected incomes which are not just unrealistic but beyond the realms of fantasy.

It's a tragedy that Hunslet have sunk to such a state when two years ago they were anticipating life in Super League after winning the NFP.

How many more clubs have to hit the brink of bankruptcy before the RFL take action?

The game at NFP level is falling apart and something has to be done.

Sadly nobody appears to have the answers but York should at least be congratulated for taking positive action, even if it means they have to crash and burn before rising from the ashes.

Not only are Leigh the top dogs on the pitch but they are leading the way off the field too.

The NFP leaders have taken another step towards Super League by having plans for a new 1,250-seater stand approved by Wigan Metroplitan Borough Council.

Work on the £750,000 project will start in August and should be completed by March 2002.

They have also announced a tie-up with French club Villeneuve Leopards, recent conquerors of the Wasps.

They have set up a series of joint ventures that will include Leigh's Academy side playing a couple of games against their Villeneuve counterparts in France, and a player exchange.

How do you fancy having Graham Steadman hanging on your wall?

Now you have the chance, as a caricature of the former York great is being auctioned to raise money for the Wasps Players Fund.

Steadman, now assistant coach to Stuart Raper at Castleford, will sign the cartoon and present it to the highest bidder. The bidding currently stands at £30.

Bids can be e-mailed to:

louise@nfp-rugbyleague.org.uk

York Wasps Supporters Club have elected a new chairman. Committee member Louise Ince takes over the position vacated at the start of the season by Ann Garvey, who stepped down to concentrate on her role as Wasps chief executive.

If anyone would like to speak to Louise about any issues regarding the Supporters Club, she can usually be found in the Stadium bar after matches.

BRAINBOXES still have time to enter the Supporters Club's general knowledge quiz and be in with a chance of winning a cash prize.

Question sheets, at a cost of £1, will be available at tomorrow's game or contact Karen Pearson on 01904 769861. The closing date is March 10 with prizes of £15, £10 and £5 on offer for the winners.

Badges are now available to mark 100 years since York joined the senior division of the Northern Union.

The centenary souvenirs will be on sale at home matches and have so far been selling well. Numbered badges are £5 and non-numbered ones £3.

What an impression former Wasps star Michael Smith made on his Castleford 'debut' last week.

He was only called up to the squad to face Leeds at the last minute but fully justified his place after coming on as a first half substitute.

Some Cas fans had doubted the Tigers' decision to give Michael, who has had a previous spell at the Jungle, a second chance but this week they have been singing his praises.

His time at the Wasps really seemed to get Mike into shape, mentally and physically, and he now looks ready to fulfil his obvious potential.

Gareth Dobson has moved up to third place in the Evening Press/Guildford Construction player of the year rankings.

The three points gained from his man of the match performance against Sheffield has taken him on to seven points, four behind new leader Gareth Lloyd.

Lloyd had been sharing the top spot with Michael Smith but earns one point for his Sheffield effort which puts him in sole pole position.

Danny Waite gets two points as the second best player.

The top player in each game is awarded three points, the second best player two points, and the third best one point.

The winner at the end of the season will win the £350 first prize with the runner-up getting £150 from sponsors Guildford Construction.

Points so far: Gareth Lloyd 11, Michael Smith 10, Gareth Dobson 7, Paddy Handley 6, Craig Moore 6, Gareth Stephens 4, Craig Forsyth 4, Alan Pallister 4, Shaun Austerfield 4, Darren Crake 3, Danny Waite 3, Jason Gatus 2, Darren Hughes 2, Jamie Benn 2, Chris Allen 2, Leroy McKenzie 1, Spencer Hargrave 1.