Big crowd pays respects to Danny Jones

A crowd of 4,066 more than four times last season's average, turned out for Keighley's League 1 match against Coventry yesterday to pay their respects to Danny Jones.

Jones, a Wales international, died of a heart attack after being taken ill during Keighley's game at London Skolars.

A post-mortem showed he suffered from undiagnosed hereditary heart disease that resulted in his cardiac arrest.

Jones, who was 29, leaves a widow Lizzie and five-month-old twins.

The match went ahead at the request of the Jones family and the kick-off was put back by 15 minutes to allow the hordes of fans into Cougar Park.

Before kick-off on an emotional afternoon, Lizzie walked onto the pitch, cradling twins Bobby and Phoebe, and fought back the tears as she released balloons in memory of her husband.

A book of condolence was opened in the clubhouse and fund-raising by the Rugby Football League's benevolent fund has so far reached £90,000 of the £100,000 target.

A bucket collection at the match, which Keighley won 52-10, raised a further £10,500.