East Stirlingshire FC's decision to let former and current service personnel in for free is more than just a public relations stunt by director Tony Ford.

But nor is it wholly altruistic offer to forces personnel, although the recognition of their efforts on behalf of the country must surely be warmly welcomed.

No, Tony is one of the game's forward thinkers. He realises for a club like the 'Shire it is better to have terraces full of people who get in for free, than have them deserted.

For without drastic measures like this to boost interest in the 'Shire and others like them, they could be living on borrowed time. But they are not alone, there are probably around half a dozen teams in the Third Division living a similar hand to mouth existence. Teams who will go to the wall sooner rather than later without an increase in interest in the games lower reaches of the SFL.

With wall to wall TV coverage of the English Premier League and the continued unhealthy addiction of Glasgow's Old Firm - although for how much longer who knows - there are too many distractions. It is a hard sell indeed to try and tempt the nation's youth along to watch a game that more often than not hardly gets the blood pumping.

The fact is teams like the 'Shire cannot survive indefinitely with crowds of 400 without new blood coming in to support the team.

Tony realises that crowds are self generating, people attract people and if East Stirling can build a bit of momentum behind this initiative then who knows what sort of numbers it will bring in. More than likely fathers will bring sons and daughters and hopefully start building the next generation of supporters.

With no ground of their own and propping up every club in the country from the bottom of the Third Division, it would provide a badly needed boost.

East Stirlingshire FC