Shaw Lane AFC are focusing on winning the Evo-Stik Division One South title for Daniel Wilkinson who died during their game at Brighouse Town last week.
The Ducks have endured a difficult week in the wake of the tragedy but picked up 2-0 wins at home to Romulus on Saturday, following an opening goal on 30 seconds, and Basford United on Tuesday to continue their unbeaten league season and move up to second in the table.
The club have helped to set up the Daniel Wilkinson Foundation which aims to raise £50,000 to buy defibrillators for as many clubs as possible, train club staff in CPR and provide health screenings for non-league players.
Saturday was an emotional day at Shaw Lane as Wilkinson's parents and sister led the memorial presentations while the club held a minute's silence and unveiled the new stand named after the 24-year-old. There was a contingent of 30 from Brighouse, where Wilkinson had a heart attack five days earlier.
Shaw Lane, who lost in last season's play-off final, are now hoping to honour Daniel further by finishing in the only automatic promotion spot. Owner Craig Wood said: "Everybody at the club has been fantastic. The players have really gelled together since the tragedy happened. There was a good team spirit before but it's unbelievable now.
"Let's hope we can win the league for Dan. That is our objective now. I am sure he will be watching us from the highest seat in the stadium."
Manager Craig Elliott, who travelled with Wilkinson in the ambulance to hospital then told his parents that he had died, shares Wood's ambitions. He said: "Winning the league for Dan is in our minds and we have mentioned it in the dressing room. Dan played his part in our good start to the season and he signed for us to get promotion.
"We have no divine right to win games no matter what we've been through. But it's part of our motivation now.
"It's been good to get two wins out of what has been a mentally demanding week. None of us have slept much. It is absolutely amazing how quickly the club have got things sorted out. It just shows what great people we have behind the scenes who work so hard.
"Saturday was a special occasion that I will always remember. It's a horrible tragedy but it's brought us closer together as a club."
The stand was erected 18 months ago but the sign with Daniel's name was added on Friday night, just hours before the match against Romulus. Wood said: "His parents were delighted when they saw it and it was a very emotional time when they came through the gates. It was heart-breaking and puts everything into perspective. When his dad walked onto the pitch he said 'that's the last time I will be on the field with my son.' It's very, very sad and it will stay with us forever."
The Ducks – who had been initially reluctant to play on Saturday before being persuaded to do so by Daniel's parents Gill and Barry – took the lead within 30 seconds through Alex Byrne. The right-back volleyed home after Gavin Allott headed the ball down then celebrated by taking off his black armband worn in memory of his team-mate and kissing it.
Jon Stewart made a tremendous save to keep the hosts ahead then Spencer Harris got the second right at the end with a header. The players celebrated by running to Wilkinson's parents and embracing them.
Former Barnsley player Neil Austin came off injured after 75 minutes and missed Tuesday's win over Basford. After a quiet first half, Jack Tuohy came on at half-time and netted eight minutes later, tapping in from close range after Jono Wafula hit the post. The visitors then had a man sent off before Kieran Lugsden doubled the lead on 79 minutes from close range after meeting a cross from the left.
You can donate at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/danwilkinsonfoundation
