Plans are being forged to create a new start for rugby league in York following the decision at Sunday's Supporters' Meeting to go all-out to re-enter the league at the start of the next season.

Talks are taking place involving York R.L Supporters' Trust, Leeds Rhinos, City of York Council and potential benefactors aimed at kick-starting a new club with a viable future by next February.

Roger Dixon, on behalf of the proposed Supporters' Trust Working Party, said, "We want the future to be very different to the past.

"We are interested only in a professionally managed club which delivers on its promises: To the supporters, success on the field; to the players and staff, a secure and rewarding future; and to the city, involvement with the community.

"York deserves a Super League Club and we are aiming for nothing less. This will take time, patience and long, hard work but we will get there. It can't be done in isolation. We need partnerships - with the council and others, as well as a strong support base from local residents and a fully integrated programme of involvement throughout the community. We are also actively seeking 'benefactors' and a principal sponsor in order to form a new club plus technical assistance from a neighbouring Super League Club.

"I would urge everyone who has the best interests of professional rugby league at heart to put past disappointments behind them and instead focus their efforts on getting the necessary funding and partnerships in place for February".

Leeds Rhinos have offered to join a partnership bringing substantial technical help and coaching expertise to a new club and preparing a fully integrated York R L Community Development Programme.

This will be based on the acclaimed Leeds Rhino scheme which includes educational projects, school tours, after-school clubs, school coaching, visits, summer camps and other activities.

Gary Hetherington, Leeds Rhinos chief executive, said "As a former Wasps player, I am keen to see a resurrection of the club. I believe a new club can grow and provide unlimited benefits to the city's sports fans and youth in particular. Partnership will be the key to a viable future and my club are prepared to provide a variety of resources to help make this new venture work.. Working with youngsters is vital to rebuilding the support that the club will need and putting it at the heart of the community".

City of York Council's executive member for leisure and heritage, councillor Alan Jones, said, "York is a rugby league heartland - we have got over 600 junior players in the club sector alone but the senior club is a vital part of the picture and we need to secure a viable future for it. The partnership we are putting together recognises the importance of a solid development structure in the city building enthusiasm and skills at a young age through schools and out-of school activities, drawing in our vibrant and highly successful amateur clubs.

"The professional club needs to be at the pinnacle, drawing its support from the community and putting resources back in by developing the grass - roots game. The Council's role in the partnership will be to look to bring in a rugby league development officer to co-ordinate and boost junior rugby league work in the city. We'll also give the trust whatever practical help we can to get it off the ground".

The next step will be to put together the necessary package as soon as possible to form a new company, after which the Supporters' Trust will formally be incorporated. It is envisaged that the Trust would be allocated representation on the board of the new company by which the new club will be managed and run.

The partnership will aim to get a community development plan in place by the Autumn. Fans will be invited to put forward ideas for a new name for the club reflecting its fresh start in the city.

Roger Dixon said "I am delighted that everyone is pulling together in this exciting project. By February I am confident that we can have the foundations in place to build a strong future for Rugby League in this city".

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