Early starters: Hearts set to pioneer 'family friendly' 7pm kick-off time for midweek matches

Christophe Berra's return to Edinburgh on Tuesday, 3 August, has been scheduled for a 7pm start in the hope of attracting more families to football, an idea the SPL is keen to embrace.

England's Football League scheduled certain matches for earlier kick-offs last season with notable success in terms of attendances, and their Scottish counterparts are now receptive to a similar move provided clubs and television broadcasters are agreeable.

Greg Mailer, the SPL's marketing and communications manager, said today: "It's certainly something we will look at if the clubs involved in a specific midweek fixture were both up for it, and if it didn't affect our TV coverage.

"We are working with all the clubs to look at how we can make the game more attractive, in particular to families. The subject of kick-off times came up at a recent meeting and the possibility of 7pm kick-offs was floated.

"We would need to look at the specifics of an individual fixture, making sure all the different stakeholders were taken into account. But we are working hard to try and bring in more families to SPL games so earlier kick-offs are something we will consider.

"The SPL has the final say on all fixture matters but we've shown in the past that we want to work with clubs and broadcasters to be flexible where we can. Obviously, we need to look at the specifics of any match and we would be open to looking at that."

A Hearts spokesperson said: "We're trying out a 7pm kick-off time because we believe it is a more friendly time for families according to research we've done. If it proves to be successful as it has for certain Football League fixtures in England, we may try it out for a midweek fixture next season."

The Wolves friendly begins Hearts' double header against English Premier League opposition and Tynecastle marketing officials have offered attractive ticket packages to supporters wishing to attend both games.

Blackburn Rovers are due in Edinburgh on Saturday 7 August, and season ticket holders can see both Wolves and Blackburn for a combined price of just 20. Under-18s and OAPs can do likewise for 14, with under-12s able to purchase their tickets for a combined 5.

Non-season ticket holders will pay 25 to see both games, under-18s and OAPs 18.

A spokesperson for Hearts said: "We are keen to see as many supporters as possible for the first games back at Tynecastle and we're delighted to offer such good value ticket prices. The games will give the majority of fans a chance to see Hearts' new signings for the first time including Kevin Kyle and Darren Barr and it also provides first class opposition for the team against Premier League opposition.

"We'll also be welcoming back Christophe Berra to Tynecastle for the first time since he left in January 2009 to join Wolves and the arrival of his new team-mate Steven Fletcher will also add to the occasion.

"Blackburn have a host of stars such as Morten Gamst Pedersen and Franco Di Santo and we are also looking forward to welcoming Sam Allardyce and his team to Tynecastle."

The deadline for season ticket holders to reserve their own seats for the above matches is Friday 30 July at 5pm.

To secure tickets to see Wolves and Blackburn at Tynecastle, call 0871 663 1874 (option 1), visit www.heartsfc.co.uk or visit the Tynecastle ticket centre.