York supporters await revival approval

The future of York is in the balance today, when the supporters hoping to revive the club present their business plan to the meeting of the Rugby League Council.

The club folded in March when their board of directors ended their struggle for survival, but fans hope they have brought in enough investment to allow York to pick up the pieces when the Northern Ford Premiership resumes its fixtures in June.

The working party has enlisted the former Hunslet and Huddersfield coach, Steve Ferres, as a prospective chief executive. "It's fantastic news ahead of the Council meeting," said its spokesman, Gary Hall. "Steve has a lot of experience within the game."

The York issue is one of a number waiting for the Rugby Football League's first executive chairman, Richard Lewis, when he takes up his new role today. The Challenge Cup final referee, Stuart Cummings, also begins a new job as technical executive.

Andrew Frew is in line to make his debut for Wakefield at home to Wigan tonight. The Australian winger, who scored 21 tries for Huddersfield last season, has returned to Britain after failing to make an impact with Penrith.

Danny Halliwell has left Trinity to go back to Halifax after a month's trial, but the former Bedford winger, George Truelove, is staying on for further trials.

Widnes, currently the highest-placed side west of the Pennines in Super League, are predicting a capacity crowd of 10,400 for their game against Wigan on Saturday.

The Challenge Cup runners-up St Helens yesterday handed over their evidence to Rugby League officials in a bid to fight off a disrepute charge. The League is considering whether to set up a tribunal to rule on whether Saints breached the laws of the game by fielding a weakened team in a Super League match against Bradford a week before the Cup final.

St Helens' Paul Newlove has been suspended for two matches after being found guilty of using a forearm to the head of his Wigan opponent, Brett Dallas, in the Challenge Cup final.