‘Crazy rules’ led to Millwall approach over negotiations over new deal for long-serving defender

Millwall head coach Neil Harris says there has been constant contact with Shaun Hutchinson over the summer before his return to the playing ranks was confirmed.

The Lions announced a list of players that had not been retained at the end of May and the long-serving centre-back’s name was on it.

But Harris always wanted to keep Hutchinson, who he signed on a free transfer when he left Fulham in June 2016.

The Geordie has made 257 appearances for Millwall.

“Hutch left – officially – because we are forced by the EFL and the crazy rules we have to do for the retained and released list, that has to be done by a certain day in May,” said Harris, talking yesterday from the Lions’ training camp in Alicante.

“It gives clarity to a lot of people but then there are certain situations, when talks were continuous and ongoing all summer, that it makes it a very difficult situation – you can’t really give grey areas.

“The football club, with Hutch’s advisor – and me and Shaun in particular – decided that we went down the steps together of releasing Shaun and going a little bit radio silence on it. There was nothing on social media from the club or from Shaun  – because we always thought we might end up back in this position again.

“The communication line has been there all summer.

“I’d like it to have been done slightly earlier, to get Hutch in the building a little bit earlier, but also I understand these things take time and there are lots of factors to go into deals like we have done with Shaun.

“Ultimately it is all irrelevant. He’s back and it is a continuation from last year within the changing room and group – he comes back as club captain.”