Ex-Hibs man pokes fun at previous Easter Road controversy after shock retirement - 'football owes you nothing'
Former Hibs man confirms retirement with lengthy post.
Former Hibs forward Harry McKirdy has released an emotional statement explaining why he chose to retire from professional football at just 29.
McKirdy, who was released by English League Two side Crawley Town at the end of last season, brought down the curtain on a career that saw him play over 200 games in all competitions for the likes of Hibs, Swindon Town and Carlisle United after beginning his professional career at Aston Villa little over a decade ago.
He found relative success at the Broadfield Stadium last season, scoring eight goals for Crawley in 38 appearances, before spending time over the summer at a Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) pre-season training camp following his release from the club. However, after no suitable contract offers materialised over the summer, McKirdy has opted to officially hang up his boots, although he couldn’t resist poking fun at one of his previous controversies.
“I didn’t think I’d be writing this six months ago but that’s football and football owes you nothing,” wrote McKirdy on his official Instagram page. “After 14 years in football, it’s time to call it a day...for now anyway. Feel like yesterday being 16, 17 and all the older pros saying it goes so fast and to have no regrets.
“I never thought I’d pack it in so early but sitting here where I am, happy in life, great people around me, living where I’ve always dreamed of living and walking down the Fulham Road to the bridge every other Saturday to watch the Chels [Chelsea], how could I possibly have any regrets? I’ve had so much fun, met some amazing people, met plenty of w***ers, made mistakes, caused carnage and loved every bit of it.
“To everyone who sang my name, abused me, hated me, loved me, thank you so much. It wouldn’t have been the same without you all. I’ll shed a tear or two tonight and probably have a whiskey to celebrate. Excited for what life brings next and, as always, up the f****ng Chels.”
McKirdy’s final words on his retirement were instantly picked up by Hibs fans, linking them to a major misdemeanour during his Easter Road days. Back in May 2023, after being relegated to the bench by former head coach Lee Johnson, he famously posted a picture of a bench with the caption ‘Chels. Nina. Golf. Hibs’.
The caption was a parody of Gareth Bale’s famous ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid’ banner, which he held up when left out of the squad during his time at Real Madrid, with many Hibs fans taking the post as a direct admission that the club was his lowest priority, behind his boyhood club Chelsea. A year earlier, McKirdy was also warned about his future social media conduct after telling a Swindon Town fan online that it was "not wrong" when told he should return to his former club while going through a goal-scoring drought in Leith.
He later claimed he was fully committed at Easter Road, saying his vocal support of Chelsea did not affect how much he cared about performing for Hibs. “When you see the criticism and people writing you off, on social media and shouting stuff at games, there's a misconception that I don't care, but I do”, he said. However, despite these claims, he was officially reprimanded for his social media and faced internal disciplinary action.
Shortly afterwards, McKirdy attended a routine cardiac scan which flagged an abnormality that required immediate specialist investigation. He subsequently underwent cardiac surgery, ruling him out of action for six months. He received a standing ovation from Hibs fans upon his return to the pitch in January 2024; however, he couldn’t regain his place in the side and joined Bromley on a free transfer a year later, before moving to Crawley in the summer of 2025.
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