Shaun Hutchinson hails "fantastic" Motherwell supporters

New Fulham defender Shaun Hutchinson has praised Motherwell's fans after returning to his former club yesterday.

Hutchinson, 23, who moved to Fulham last month, was substituted to a standing ovation at Fir Park as the Cottagers recorded a 2-0 win in a pre-season friendly.

"I thought that I would get a good reception, but that was pretty special," Hutchinson told Fulham's website. "The Motherwell supporters clapped me off the pitch when I made way at the end, and it was a nice gesture.

"Obviously I came through the ranks there, and I went on to play quite a few games. That showed that they appreciated my time at Fir Park, and likewise, I thoroughly enjoyed that period of my career. Those fans are fantastic."

Fulham, back in the Championship after 13 years in the Premier League, begin their 2014-15 campaign with a trip to Ipswich Town on August 9.