South-East Queensland football fans are in for a double treat this Saturday evening when Brisbane City’s Spencer Park hosts the first double-header of the National Premier Leagues season - and entry is absolutely free!

The first of the senior fixtures kicks off at 5pm between Redlands United and FNQ FC Heat, and will be followed by hosts City against Brisbane Strikers at 7:30pm. A curtain raiser between City and Strikers U20’s sides will commence the afternoon at 2:45pm.

City officials say they are delighted to continue their policy of not charging entry for NPL matches despite the extra game on offer.

Club secretary Steve Grice explained, “We don’t want to put any obstacles in the way of a fun family day out.”

“Given how much it costs for families to do anything these days, we’d prefer if people have the money in their pockets to spend on good food.”

Grice explained that City were preparing more than a feast of football, confirming their famous wood-fired pizzas, usually a staple of Friday night fixtures, will be available at the ground on Saturday.

“We have many local residents that first discovered the club by following their noses – they smelled the pizzas and the ribs and now they’re regulars at the club,” he enthused.

Double-headers are an exciting addition to the NPL fixture list and, with two more scheduled in coming weeks at Brisbane Strikers’ Perry Park ground and Redlands’ Cleveland Showgrounds base, local football fans find themselves spoiled for choice.

Further double headers are scheduled for Wolter Park, home of Moreton Bay Jets, and Olympic FC’s Goodwin Park later in the season.

Football Queensland Chief Operations Officer Ben Mannion said the double headers are part of the NPL’s pledge to deliver high quality football to the people of Queensland.

“The idea behind the double headers is that we wanted to make each weekend a real “Football Festival” where everyone can witness the best footballers in the state,” Mannion explained.

“It gives the home clubs the opportunity to build a fan base utilising their existing NPL junior player base, parents and friends of football. Regional teams will also play a big part in the double headers as will the QAS team.”

“We hope football fans will prefer to go to one venue to see two high class NPL matches and we expect no different this weekend at Spencer Park.”

“After the success of the first round where thousands of people witnessed some great football from all age group across the state, the second round promises even more exciting football.”

Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)