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Spirit of Shankly welcome Fenway Sports Group ticket price U-turn

Liverpool fans protest against high ticket prices during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Replay match between West Ham United
Image: Some Liverpool fans are unhappy with the new ticket prices at Anfield

Liverpool supporters' union Spirit of Shankly hope the club's owners have learned a valuable lesson after their U-turn on ticket prices.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) issued an apology on Wednesday evening and scrapped the controversial top-price £77 general admission ticket for next season that had caused Anfield fans to protest.

Liverpool back down on prices
Liverpool back down on prices

Liverpool freeze majority of ticket prices for next season

Thousands of fans walked out of Anfield last Saturday during the 77th minute of their clash with Sunderland, putting the subject of increasing ticket prices firmly into the spotlight.

"If I am really honest, I am not sure we can put it into words - we did not expect this," Spirit of Shankly spokesman Jay McKenna said..

"It is unprecedented that they have apologised, remarkable. It is the right approach from the club that they apologised for the mistake.

"Supporters have reminded themselves that they are important to this game and reminded the authorities just how important they are. Clearly the club has seen the level of opposition to what was planned."

Liverpool supporters walk out in the 77th minute of a 2-2 draw with Sunderland in a protest against ticket prices
Image: Liverpool supporters walk out in the 77th minute of a 2-2 draw with Sunderland in a protest against ticket prices

Earlier, just after news broke of the FSG decision, Spirit of Shankly issued a statement, which read; "Today's announcement has to be seen a positive step in repairing the relationship between owners and supporters.

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"If they had recognised what was being said by supporters about the impact of the original price rises... then much of the embarrassment and upset of the last four days would have been avoided. It is a sobering lesson in listening to your supporters properly.

"We welcome these changes from the owners and that they have recognised the mistake made and apologised for it. We take no delight in them being wrong. It helps no one.

Image: There were protests throughout the Sunderland game

"What is important though is that a lesson is learned and that proper engagement and taking note of supporters' concerns occurs and those views are taken more seriously.

"We will take this opportunity to review the numbers and their impact upon supporters, we will be speaking to the club about it and we will speak with supporters to get their views.

"The Spirit of Shankly and Spion Kop 1906 believe that, given the fact there has been this reconsideration by the owners, it is only fair and appropriate that we reconsider our next steps until the full impact of these changes can be established."

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Prime Minister David Cameron says something needs to be done to stop clubs raising ticket prices too quickly

Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday that his Government would look into the issue after it was brought up by Shadow Sports Minister Clive Efford during Prime Minster's Questions.

Cameron said: "There is a problem here where some teams, some clubs, put up prices very rapidly every year, even though so much of the money for football actually comes through the sponsorship of the equipment and other sources. So I will look very carefully at what the honourable gentleman says."

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