York Wasps Rugby League Club suffered their first postponement of the season yesterday when a frozen pitch put paid to their Northern Ford Premiership clash with Sheffield Eagles.

Local referee Dave Asquith was called in to inspect the Huntington Stadium pitch at 12.30pm and deemed it unplayable.

No new date has yet been set for the match, though Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey confirmed it will not be played this week.

She said they hoped to finalise details today, with Sheffield keen on re-arranging it for a blank weekend in February.

The other alternative will be to play it midweek on a date when the Stadium is available.

Meanwhile, John Stabler and Russell Greenfield today denied reports they have turned down the chance to return as Wasps directors.

The rugby league trade press claimed that Stabler had rejected the chance to sit on the board of both Hull FC and York.

But today Stabler said that he had not yet made a decision. However, he admitted there would need to be an increase in support from sponsors and the people of York if he was to take up the challenge.

He said: "If we don't get sponsors coming forward and we don't get a groundswell of support to show that people want a rugby league club in York then what's the point?

"People have got to want it. We are working hard with Ann and Derek (Collinson) and will support them all the time. But to sit down and say we'll become directors of the club again is not on the agenda at the moment.

"We're looking for real commitment and if we get the support we're looking for we'll do it. If not there might be someone else who will do it.

"There are no debts, we have a good coach and an enthusiastic and dedicated bunch of players who have stood by the club."

The Players Fund which was launched last week is now up to around the £500 mark, with donations coming in from around the country.

A total of £300 has been pledged from people in the London area after they read about the Wasps plight

Updated: 12:06 Monday, January 15, 2001