THE WIDOW of Keighley Cougars player Danny Jones has paid tribute to her “beautiful man” saying she hopes people will remember his passion, commitment and contagious smile.

Liz Jones’ emotional words came as the club’s chairman set a £1 million fundraising target in the late player’s name.

The club hopes to fill its ground on Sunday as the team takes on Coventry in what is expected to be an emotional game. It will be the first match played since the 29-year-old’s death on Sunday from a suspected cardiac arrest.

A third of money taken on the gate and fundraising on the day will go towards a memorial fund set up following the Welsh international’s death.

A RFL (Rugby Football League) Benevolent Fund charity webpage has already raised more than £77,000.

The RFL set a £100,000 target, but today Cougars’ chairman Gary Fawcett said The Danny Jones 29 Fund should reach at least £1m and encouraged sports organisations and people in Wales to back it.

“I met Lizzie yesterday. She said that she didn’t want Danny’s death to be in vain and would like to see the changes in sport that would ensure that what happened to Danny on Sunday would never happen again,” Mr Fawcett said.

The fund will provide financial stability for Mrs Jones and five-month-old twins, Bobby and Phoebe, and be used to make changes to the sport to prevent further deaths.

Mr Fawcett also announced the club would be fundraising for at least five months to help achieve the target.

The stand-off collapsed from a suspected heart attack when the team played London Skolars on Sunday. There have since been calls for screening, defibrillators and CPR training throughout the RFL.

This Sunday’s special match programme will include a message from Mrs Jones.

“I’m so happy my wonderful Danny finished his days playing the sport he adored, at a club he treasured with lads he thought the world of.

“Danny was the best daddy and husband in the whole world, he made us smile every single day. I want everyone to remember his passion and commitment and most of all his contagious infectious smile,” her message reads.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support, love and kind wishes.

“I will bring his beautiful babies up to make him proud. The legacy he has left will last forever.

“I could not be any prouder of my beautiful man. My husband the legend.”

A family statement thanking people for their kind messages and support has also been shared on a Facebook memorial page for Mr Jones.

"The whole family is overwhelmed by all the tributes and messages for Danny and the generosity shown by all the Rugby League community. We are very humbled to know Danny was so well thought of," it says.

"Danny is an irreplaceable part of our family and it is heartbreaking to know we will never be a part of the many pranks Danny pulled or how we would all watch and laugh as he entertained a room like only Danny could.

“We know Danny has not left us, he’s just watching over us all, just from a better view.

“Heaven is certainly a better place for him being there and it will definitely be a lot funnier!!”

* Matchday tickets are now available from the club’s Main Reception and A1 Stairlifts Club Shop in town.