The move is being made in a desperate bid to cut running costs and is said to save the club $60,000 a game.

But when the club brought the cap in last season, it caused an outcry, with an angry reaction from fans and the FFA who scrapped the cap after one game and took over matchday duties from the club.

Now though - after just one home game of the new season which saw a crowd of 7,000 for the local derby against Brisbane Roar - the club are bringing it in once more.

The club insists they hope it will be a temporary measure after poor ticket sales for their clash with Melbourne Victory.

"This is one way of sustaining the club and taking it forward," CEO Clive Mensink told The World Game. "We are hoping it will be a temporary measure.

"If the demand for tickets grows then we will open the ground up fully again.

"But ticket sales for the Melbourne game haven't been good and we felt this was the only way we had of reining in the costs of putting on home games.

"We know our supporters are not going to be happy and we haven't done this lightly.

"I am sure we will cop a backlash over this from fans but I hope they understand we are doing it to make sure the club has secure foundations going forward."

The FFA are expected to meet with the club to discuss the situation as soon as possible.