Liverpool owners' U-turn on tickets gets the backing of supporters' groups

An estimated 10,000 fans walked out of Anfield on Saturday in protest at next season's proposed hike, which would have heralded a new £77 match ticket and £1,000 season ticket as well as increases for around a third of all season ticket holders.

[STORY: Liverpool back down in ticket row, apologise to fans]

That action was noticed by Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group and they have responded by announcing a freeze on prices, decategorising matches and making £9 tickets available for all games with an allocation of 10,000 over the whole season.

They also apologised for getting it wrong in an open letter to fans from principal owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner.

"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 told Press Association Sport.

"It is unprecedented that they have apologised, remarkable.

"It is the right approach from the club that they apologised for the mistake."

On the effect the walkout had in changing the owners' opinion he added: "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."

In a statement Spirit of Shankly also added: "Today's announcement has to be seen as a positive step in repairing the relationship between owners and supporters.

"If they had recognised what was being said by supporters about the impact of the original price rises (perhaps by actually meeting with their own Ticketing Working Group) 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."