WARRINGTON Wolves are a step closer to announcing new funding at the club.

A number of 'highly respected' businessmen are now understood to be on board in a bid to ensure that Warrington's future in Super League is assured.

It is believed that the arrival of the mystery moneymen is all tied in with Warrington's bid to find a modern home for the team. A yet-to-be-revealed site for a new stadium is thought to be almost secured.

A funding boost should mean a players' budget for next season so that team strengthening can take place - something coach Darryl Van de Velde has not had in 1998.

As a consequence, the club's fortunes on the pitch in Super League have suffered. With a chronic injury list over the past two months not helping, the Wolves have won only one of their last eight games and any hopes of appearing in the lucrative end of season play-offs have now gone.

With the club having a history of huge debts - even though they are reducing - the search for new funds has been the priority of Wilderspool chiefs.

Even the Alliance team was sacrificed this season in a cost cutting measure and although 11 new players have been brought in by Van de Velde, they were signed without any transfer fees.

Chief executive John Smith has declared: "The future of the club is assured financially but it is still too early to reveal the details."

The speculation has been that Greenalls are to takeover the Wolves.

But Smith said: "Greenalls are our main sponsors and they are heavily involved in facilitating the moves to bring funds into the club.

"We are talking about a number of highly respected and influential people coming into the club."

Loose ends are now being tied up and it is hoped that an announcement will be made in September, although there is no guarantee as it was initially hoped to have been made public in June.

It would appear to be crucial that the situation is sorted soon so that players' futures at Wilderspool can be confirmed.

A number of players' contracts come to an end in December, including full back Lee Penny and second rower Steve McCurrie. Other clubs have been showing interest in them both.

As far as these two players are concerned coach Darryl Van de Velde says: "They are two that we need to keep hold of."

And on contracts in general Van de Velde says: "We are talking to players at the moment. Negotiations are taking place but nothing is finalised."

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