FOOTBALL is nothing without the fans ...

and Partick Thistle are determined to reverse the trend and attract supporters back to the game, starting on Friday night.

Clubs across the country have seen attendances fall in recent years as punters have turned their back on the action on offer.

It has led to an increase in schemes to entice people through the gate, with the likes of 'pay what you can' initiatives giving clubs a quick shot in the arm and a boost in numbers.

Thistle have been at the forefront of these ideas in recent years and are pushing the boat out again ahead of their Premiership clash with St Mirren.

Season ticket holders can bring a friend for just £10, discounts are on offer for the Saints support, and food and drink will be on offer in the Aitken Suite before and after the game.

The Jags have seen home crowds decrease by up to 600 in their second season in the Premiership, and managing director Ian Maxwell is eager to bring them back to Firhill.

"We have done a couple of things over the last few years and we are aware that crowds across the board are dwindling," he told SportTimes.

"Some clubs have tried more than others, but we are all aware we need to do something to attract the numbers.

"It is difficult to find something that will work longer term, and I think that has to be based around the day, the event, rather than just the admission price. That has got a part to play, but it is about what else you can do and that is what Friday night is all about.

"You need to be very careful how these things affect your season ticket holders because they are the lifeblood of the club. But they realise we need to attract new fans and try these schemes to do that.

"You have to make sure that, over the course of the season, the cheapest way to watch your team is a season ticket. I would be dead against doing anything that means anyone who walks into every game pays less than a season ticket holder - and we won't do that."

Thistle hope to attract a bumper crowd for the crucial Buddies clash and see fans return to the North Stand in their numbers to cheer on Alan Archibald's side.

There is no magic formula to entice punters through the gate, but Maxwell reckons the time for ideas is now.

He said: "I understand there are reasons why the fixtures are scheduled the way they are, but I think we maybe need to be a bit more creative. Could we start a bit earlier and finish a bit earlier?

"Sky say they don't have anything to show over the close-season and people cancel their subscriptions, so could we put something forward to them and play more games earlier on?

"There is a lot to be done and we are now at a point where I think the clubs are going to start making a few more demands of the governing body and say 'we need you to look at this or that' rather than just going along."

A switch to summer football is often touted as the most straightforward way of making football a more attractive proposition to supporters.

Even a minor change in the calendar presents significant challenges, but those in positions of power need to come up with the answers.

Maxwell said: "What we can't do is start the League Cup in July and still have the Scottish Cup final in May. There needs to be a break for clubs and fans.

"It is complex and there are a lot of things to consider, but we need to see what we can do and have a right good go at it.

"Ultimately, people aren't coming to games and we are all going to suffer if we continue down this road and it doesn't get any better."

*For more information on the 'Thistle Big Friday Night Out' visit ptfc.co.uk or call 0141-579 1971.