SCOTLAND’S leading football clubs must look to introduce more innovative ticket initiatives – or face attendances plummeting due to a widespread disenchantment with both the cost and quality of the game.

That was the warning to Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibs, Rangers and others last night as it emerged that fans across Europe could be set to unite in protest against increased ticket prices.

The Football Supporters’ Federation, a group which represents fans in England and Wales, yesterday endorsed further direct action against clubs.

The FSF predicted the negative publicity arising out of possible demonstrations could persuade Premier League clubs to introduce price caps.

Elsewhere, Germany-based Football Supporters Europe has urged fans from different countries to come together in order to co-ordinate the kind of campaigns they hope will prove a catalyst for change.

Those appeals have followed high-profile incidents at both Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund matches which have raised the possibility of copycat demonstrations across the continent.

Thousands of Liverpool supporters staged a walk-out during Liverpool’s game against Sunderland on Saturday over price increases for next season which will see the most expensive ticket priced at £77.

And on Tuesday night Borussia Dortmund supporters threw tennis balls onto the pitch during their German Cup match against Stuttgart to protest against rising prices for away fans.

Premier League clubs last month failed to ratify a proposal to limit prices for away fans to £30, but FSF chairman Malcolm Clarke is convinced officials could now change their mind at their next scheduled meeting next month.

Clarke said: "The proposal to have a £30 cap on away tickets was blocked by a number of clubs but with the publicity and focus on the issue there is now a groundswell of support for change.

"When the clubs meet again to discuss the issue hopefully it will get the required level of support. It won't necessarily be as much as we want, but at least a £30 cap on away prices would be a good start."

The cost of top flight football in Scotland is not as prohibitive as it is in England, but Paul Goodwin, co-founder of the Scottish Football Supporters’ Association, still believes it is a serious problem here.

The SFSA polled their 47,000 members last year – and found that the price of going to a football match in this country and the standard of the professional game were high on the list of concerns.

“When we were writing our manifesto we asked our members to tell us the issues they want us to address,” said Goodwin. “Pricing undoubtedly came up really highly on the list. The other thing was the quality of the product on the park.

“We are members of Fans Europe. We had our application accepted. They will hold a conference in Turkey in July to talk about this issue which we plan to attend.

“I am surprised that fans of a German club are protesting about ticket prices. When Bayern Munich played Arsenal in the Champions League last year their fans boycotted the first five minutes of the game after being asked to pay £64 for a ticket.

“Ticket prices are more realistic in Scotland, but they are still something we want to keep in check. There is a concern about what we are being asked to pay to watch.

“Partick Thistle have a Kids Go Free initiative for their league games. Other clubs have tried similar schemes. But more are needed to encourage the next generation of fans to come to games. There are so many other things they can do.

“It is a really complex issue. The most loyal fans are season ticket holders. We have many challenges to face. Is there an easy answer? No there isn’t. Is there a quick fix? Again, there isn’t.

“We will be trying to find out what clubs across Europe are doing to encourage fans to attend games at the conference in July and we are also setting up a group of seriously credible marketing people and academics to come up with our own plans and initiatives.”

With elections for the Scottish Parliament looming in May, Goodwin feels that engaging with the main political parties and examining ways to reduce ticket prices could be beneficial.

“Some 20 per cent of our ticket prices here goes to the government for VAT,” he said. “That isn’t the case in other countries in Europe. With an election coming up this year, that is something we want to take up with politicians in the coming months.

“Is there some sort of way that can be looked at? Football clubs are social entities which give back to the local community. They aren’t profit-making organisations. A huge chunk of the price of a ticket is disappearing.”