WALES coach John Kear has paid a stirring tribute to Danny Jones and his widow Lizzie ahead of Sunday’s fundraising match at Cougar Park.

Paul March’s men will host the Wales national side in a game being staged to honour the memory of the former playmaker following his untimely death on May 3 aged just 29.

The match will also raise funds for Lizzie and twins Bobby and Phoebe and Kear is delighted to be involved, especially as Wales have a free weekend in their European Championship campaign.

The former England coach told the Keighley News: “Sunday’s game will be a very fitting tribute to Danny but it evolved in a very natural way.

“The Wales Rugby League organisation and the squad of players who Danny played with for Wales all wanted to pay tribute to him and the contribution he had made to the national side.

“We thought if we could do that and at the same be involved in a fundraising project for his offspring, then we were more than happy to do so.

“That’s basically how it came about and fortune favoured us in that France are playing England that weekend and we have a spare weekend, so it fits in perfectly.

“It’s a one-off, a special game, and that’s how we’re going to treat it.”

Kear, who also serves as Batley Bulldogs coach and is a respected rugby league pundit, has spoken of his admiration for Lizzie Jones.

He was at Wembley in August for the Challenge Cup final between Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR, when Lizzie performed a beautiful version of ‘Abide With Me’ prior to kick-off.

Kear said: “I don’t know how Lizzie did it to be honest, but she’s an amazing woman and a very strong woman.

“It means a lot to me personally to be involved in this weekend’s game at Cougar Park but the rendition that Lizzie gave at Wembley was very personal to her.

“I was there commentating for the BBC and I was pleased I didn’t have to speak straight after Lizzie performed because the tears were streaming down my face and there was a lump in my throat.

“I thought it was absolutely fantastic what she did. That was her personal tribute to Danny and this game will be our personal tribute to him as well.”

Kear had approached Jones about his availability for Wales ahead of last year’s European Championship.

Jones opted against playing because Lizzie was pregnant at the time with the twins and so he never played under Kear for Wales.

Kear explained: “I took over last year and I approached Danny about being selected.

“Lizzie was heavily pregnant with the twins and they were having an extension built, so he turned down the opportunity to play in the European Championship.

“I think it tells you a lot about him being a family man in order to support Lizzie and make sure that the house was ready for when the twins were born.”

Kear crossed paths with Jones in league games and warmed to him immediately.

He added: “That was the thing about Danny, whenever Batley played Keighley you would always tend to have a chat with him because he was such an infectious character.

“He loved rugby league and played it with a smile on his face, as I think he did with most things in life.

“It was a pleasure to interact with Danny and be in and around his company.

“Rugby league is a very small community in all honesty and you tend to know everybody.

“Danny was very well known, especially at Championship level, and you just couldn’t believe what happened.

“This weekend will be a tribute to his life and of course raising funds for his wife and children.”