FORMER Rovers star Kevin Gallacher has backed the club's moves to use some of the extra television money that Premiership teams will get next year to lower ticket prices.

Rovers chairman John Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph that the club were looking to use some their share of the extra TV revenue, which now stands at £2.7billion after the Premier League sealed a £625m overseas rights deal, to bring ticket prices down at Ewood Park.

Rovers have already used special ticket promotions to great effect this season, which saw vastly improved gates against Bolton and in some European ties this season.

And Gallacher welcomed the news.

He said: "The more people who they get into Ewood is obviously a massive bonus. To lower ticket prices and get people into Ewood makes sense financially because people will spend money when they get to the ground.

"The Premier League is all about playing in front of full houses. Playing in an empty stadium isn't a nice feeling at all.

"Ticket prices in the Premiership are expensive and it's probably worse at a family-orientated club like Rovers. A family of four can easily spend somewhere in the region of £200 in one afternoon once you buy four tickets, pies, programmes, drinks etc. So anything Rovers can do to lower prices and entice the fans back to Ewood is a good thing.

"And I think that if Rovers are successful, it could become a blueprint for similar-sized clubs to follow."

And Williams explained the reasons behind the move.

He said: "We have taken the decision as a football club and as a board to use some of the extra TV money to give something back to the fans in terms of admission prices.

"We have prepared the ground with special initiatives in the past and we have tried to discover what works and what doesn't.

"We are looking at trying to do something a bit more permanent within the structure to make sure the fans get their share.

"It's so crucial that football remains a live spectacle because I don't like to see empty blue seats at Ewood Park.

"Pricing isn't the only factor. I have spoken before about the competitiveness of the Premiership and distribution of money within the league but clearly one factor is admission prices and we are going to use some of the extra money to try and reduce them.

"But we have to strike the right balance and remain competitive on the field because we have to offer an attractive product that people want to come and watch.

"It's a difficult balance to strike but I know for certain that the players love playing in front of a full house."

The plans have also gone down well with Rovers season ticket holders.

Joe Hernon, who sits in the Blackburn End, said: "It's so refreshing that Rovers are putting the fans first.

"Following football is a very expensive pastime and anything the club can do to ease the financial burden on fans is a great help."

Another season ticket holder, Colin Woods, added his approval.

He said: "Blackburn are leading the way in trying to bring football ticket prices down to a sensible level and they should be applauded.

"As long as they can do well on the field, and make it affordable for people to go to Ewood and watch games, then I'm sure the fans will flood back. Well done Rovers."