KEIGHLEY Cougars are preparing for an emotion-charged return to the ground where one of their star players died – almost exactly a year since the tragedy.

The team will step out against London Skolars on Saturday – at the ground where Danny Jones lost his life during the same Bank Holiday weekend fixture 12 months ago.

"It will be an extremely emotional day for everyone at the club – players, supporters and all those involved," said chairman, Gary Fawcett.

"It's a total irony – pure chance – that we were drawn to play at Skolars that weekend. You couldn't write it.

"A lot of the guys who were involved in the match a year ago will be playing again on Saturday.

"It will be tough, but also a chance to pay our respects.

"We're putting on a 69-seater coach, as well as the usual team bus, so we should have a good number of people there."

Before the start of the iPro Cup semi-final, a floral tribute will be laid and a minute's silence observed.

And fans will pay their own respects at the stadium.

The death of Danny Jones, who was just 29, spread shockwaves through the rugby league and sporting world – and beyond.

It was later discovered the Welsh international, who had come off the pitch early in the match after feeling unwell, had an undetected hereditary heart condition.

Following his death, tributes flooded in from across the globe and Cougar Park was transformed into a sea of flowers, plus shirts and scarves representing many clubs.

The number 6 shirt was retired in his honour and he was inducted into the Cougars Hall of Fame.

And Keighley Transdev paid its own tribute by naming a bus after him.

A fund set-up to support Danny's widow, Lizzie, and their young twins, Bobby and Phoebe, has raised about £340,000.

"Money will be put into trust funds for the children and to support the family," said Mr Fawcett.

"The appeal fund is still open so people can donate at justgiving.com/DannyJones29."

Recent donations have included £3,592 from a Barrow to Keighley sponsored bike ride, by Barrow Raiders supporters and directors.

During the past year, Mrs Jones – a professional singer – has performed at several sporting events and awards ceremonies in honour of Danny.

Just three months after his death, she gave an emotional rendition of Abide With Me before the Challenge Cup final, which she attended with the couple's twins.

And she performed at the White Rose Awards in Leeds last November and at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards night the following month.

Mrs Jones launched a fundraising campaign on Valentine's Day to buy defibrillators for rugby clubs across the UK.

The aim is to raise £50,000 and have the life-saving machines installed at half of all junior and community clubs within a year.

The defibrillator appeal is being run in association with the RFL Benevolent Fund.