New York Wasps Rugby League Club owner John Stabler insists that York's link with rugby league in Gateshead is well and truly over - and intends it to stay that way.

Stabler admitted he was interested in forming a merged York and Gateshead team back in 1997.

But he claims that, at the time, it was York's only route into Super League.

And he acknowledges that it is completely impractical.

"There is no question of it happening now. It goes back to when we were in the old second division.

"The only way to get to Super League was by merging and at the time the Rugby League wanted a club in Gateshead.

"The only way we (York) could apply for Super League was as a joint club. It was very serious - we were talking to GNER about sponsoring a train so supporters in York could go to matches in Gateshead and the Gateshead people could come here.

"But after travelling up and down there every week I realise it wasn't feasible," said Stabler.

He was forced to make weekly trips from his home in Barkston Ash, near Selby, to the north east last season when he was on the board at Super League club Gateshead Thunder.

Earlier this week, his Wasps partner Russell Greenfield also categorically denied that they intended to move the club to Gateshead.

Wasps fans had feared that Stabler's return to York was linked with a move to the north east.