FOOTBALL fans across Gloucestershire are being asked to take part in a unique celebration of the non-League game this weekend.

With no international, Premier League or Football League Championship games taking place on Saturday and with Cheltenham Town away to Barnet in London, fans are being urged to support Non-League Football day.

The idea, the brainchild of London-based Queens Park Rangers fan James Doe, has swept through social media websites and has so far gained the support of hundreds of non-League clubs.

Doe came across the idea during a pre-season game between QPR and Devon-based club Tavistock.

So impressed by the levels of hospitality and professionalism shown by the hosts, he spotted the gap in the fixture calendar and set about organising a celebration of the lower leagues.

"The way the team and the players were treated at Tavistock was first class and I realised that this would be the same the country over," said Doe.

"I noticed that with England playing Bulgaria on Friday evening that there is this gap in the programme and set about trying to organise this special day.

"In three or four weeks it's taken off and there has been terrific interest and I would urge anyone to use this opportunity to go and watch their local side."

Clubs in Gloucestershire have responded with a number of unique offers to help get fans clicking through the turnstiles.

Forest Green Rovers have reduced ticket prices for their game against Southport to Premier League and Football League season ticket holders to £10, a saving of up to £5.

The match against the newly-promoted Sandgrounders will also be sponsored by a group of Bristol City vice presidents who are keen to show their commitment to their near neighbours.

Gloucester City have also reduced their ticket prices to £10 for adults and £5 concessions in order to get a bumper crowd for the match against Hyde.

Chairman Nigel Hughes said that, reduced prices aside, non-League football always offers terrific value for money.

"In comparison to the Premier League non-League is terrific value for money," said Hughes.

"Families and children can get close to the club and get involved and non-League day offers the perfect chance to get involved.

"It's an ideal chance for people to come and see their local club play. There is only one Gloucester City and we would love to see more of the city folk support us."

In the Zamaretto Leagues only one of the Gloucestershire-based sides is at home this weekend, but Bishop's Cleeve are offering free entrance to any Cheltenham town season ticket holder who doesn't travel to the Robins' game at Barnet.

"It would be nice if all the Cheltenham fans could adopt us as their second club and then come back again and again," said Cleeve chairman Dave Walker.