The Yarrow Park club is introducing a Donate at the Gate scheme for their pre-Christmas Lowland League clash with Gretna on Saturday.

Instead of the normal £5 gate charge, entry through the turnstiles will be few tins of beans, soups and vegetables as well as a packet or two of biscuits.

And their goal is to gather enough items to fill a handful of hampers for the local food bank in Galashiels.

Ross Anderson, chairman of Selkirk Football Club, told the Border Telegraph: “We want as many supporters as possible to come along and bring items for the foodbank with them.

“It is terrible that families need to rely on foodbanks and we want to do what we can as a football club to support these families.

“We won’t be charging on the gate like we normally do - instead we ask people to bring the equivalent value in food items.” Galashiels food bank, which is organised by the town’s six churches, assists around 30 people in the central Borders each week with parcels.

The initiative operates on a referral basis from local authority, health and voluntary agencies.

The number of referals is expected to escalate over the festive period as more and more families struggle to cope with the cost of Christmas.

Each food parcel, which costs around £20, consists of mainly tinned and dry goods as well as a few fresh items can feed a person for five days.

Mr Anderson added: “I’m sure as a club we can provide enough items to make a difference for the people who really need it this Christmas.

“I would encourage everyone to come along and bring a few items for the collection.” Selkirk’s opponents at Yarrow Park on Saturday are second-placed Gretna. And the Raydale club is backing the initiative by encouraging all of their supporters to also bring food items to the match.

Selkirk secretary Sheree Davison told us: “Gretna always have a good support with them and we are delighted they are joining in the spirit of Donate at the Gate.

“We hope all of our own supporters, as well as players and the committee at Selkirk, will also get behind the scheme.” Selkirk’s match with Gretna on Saturday kicks off at 2pm.