After our last-gasp FA Cup fourth round win against Liverpool (I’m still not over it), West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic spoke out with sense about rising ticket prices.

Liverpool fans previously staged a mass walk out ten minutes before the end of of their match against Sunderland, demonstrating against price rises that would mean some tickets costing £77 at Anfield next season (pictured).

The Reds have since undergone a u-turn on that proposal but they aren’t the only club under the microscope at the moment when it comes to affordable tickets.

Although the story was less cut and dry than it first appeared, it was picked up by many national media outlets and drew a great deal of attention.

When Radio One’s Newsbeat covered the story, all of the West Ham fans they interviewed said they would pay whatever it takes to go and see their team play, with the Liverpool fans questioned unanimous in their full support of the protest.

I must say the reaction of the West Ham fans shocked me. I would have thought that all supporters would have a point of no return; where their team were simply charging too much to justify spending 90 minutes watching the beautiful game in person.

I for one have not been too happy with ticket prices in recent seasons, finding quite a few away matches are cheaper to go to than those staged at the Boleyn Ground.

Luckily for us Hammers fans, the move to the Olympic Stadium is just around the corner and, with it, more affordable ticket prices.

With season tickets starting at just £289 the club have seen an influx of fans keen to get their hands on them.

Speaking to the media in his press conference, Bilic said: “You have to find a balance, especially in the Premier League where you are getting lots of money from TV and sponsorship so the tickets should be a good price for the fans.

“It’s not polo, it’s not golf and it’s not a sport for upper class. It’s the most popular sport and shouldn’t be a privilege for a family to go and watch. It should be affordable. It should be like that with football.”

For me, Bilic has nailed the argument, and I’m really happy we have an honest and upfront manager who isn’t afraid to give his opinion.

If ticket prices continue to rise a lot of fans will be priced out of the game, and the excitement and joy I felt when my dad took me to my first game aged ten won’t be as readily available for children in the future.

Football is a sport for the masses, and the sooner that all clubs realise this, the better.