Midfielder David Hunt has bid farewell to Shrewsbury Town – with an apology to the fans he leaves behind.

Hunt, 26, signed for League Two rivals Brentford yesterday after having his Town contract settled by mutual consent.

Having made just 32 appearances in blue and amber during a 20-month stay that was plagued by injury, Hunt was forthright on his departure.

“It’s a shame because I enjoyed myself at Town and I just want to apologise to the supporters for not being able to stay fit and for not showing my full potential,” he said.

“I would like to think that things would have been different if I had managed to stay injury free, but it just wasn’t to be – I got crocked straight away and that was a real set-back.

“Touch wood, I can stay off the treatment table now, get my head down and get back to playing my football.

“I cannot fault Paul Simpson (Town manager) at all – he has treated me really well throughout and kept talking to me and telling me where I stood, and that is all you can ask for.

“We certainly haven’t departed on bad terms and I wish the club well.”

London-born Hunt, whose last appearance for the club came against Brighton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy last month, was keen to return south and closer to his family.

He continued: “Me and the family thought moving to Shrewsbury would be good for us – to get out of London and try something new. It hasn’t quite worked out with me not playing, so it’s nice to get back nearer to home.

“My little girl is only 16 months old so that is always a major consideration.”

And there was a final departing message for former Town kitman Ryan King, son of ex-manager Jake King, whom Hunt has been lodging with whilst in Shropshire.

He added: “The King family – Linda and Ryan – have been like a second family to me. I have made great friends in those two and I really appreciate it.”

Shrewsbury, frozen off against Chester today, travel to face Hunt’s new club at the end of the month.

By SEAN WOZENCROFT