Wikipedia

Harry McKirdy

Harry McKirdy (born 29 March 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Scottish Premiership club Hibernian.

Harry McKirdy
Personal information
Full name Harry McKirdy [1]
Date of birth (1997-03-29) 29 March 1997 (age 27)[2]
Place of birth London, England[3]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Hibernian
Number 17
Youth career
2004–2011 Stoke City
2011–2016 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Aston Villa 0 (0)
2016–2017 → Stevenage (loan) 11 (1)
2018 → Crewe Alexandra (loan) 16 (3)
2019 → Newport County (loan) 12 (1)
2019–2020 Carlisle United 28 (5)
2020–2021 Port Vale 8 (0)
2021–2022 Swindon Town 40 (22)
2022– Hibernian 24 (0)
2024 → Swindon Town (loan) 9 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:09, 14 May 2024 (UTC)

McKirdy is a product of the Aston Villa and Stoke City academies. While in Aston Villa's academy, he played on loan at English Football League sides Stevenage, Crewe Alexandra and Newport County. He played for Carlisle United permanently during the 2019–20 season and then signed with Port Vale in September 2020, though he would only stay there for one season. He joined Swindon Town in August 2021 on a one-year contract. He was named in the EFL League Two Team of the Season and Swindon Town's Player of the Season for the 2021–22 campaign. He signed with Scottish Premiership club Hibernian in September 2022 and returned to Swindon Town on loan in February 2024 after recovering from a health scare.

Career

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Aston Villa

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McKirdy was born in London[4] and brought up in the Stoke-on-Trent area, where he attended St Joseph's College.[5] He was on the books of Stoke City from the age of seven to fourteen, and then joined Aston Villa's academy.[6] He signed a scholarship in 2013,[5] and went on to sign a two-year professional contract with the "Villans" in 2016.[7] He scored six goals in the 2016 HKFC Soccer Sevens tournament to win the golden boot, with one of his goals coming in the final as Villa beat West Ham United 2–0 to claim their sixth tournament title.[8] He achieved this despite having only recently returned to fitness following a five-month lay-off with injury.[9]

McKirdy trained with the first-team in 2016–17 pre-season,[4] and joined League Two club Stevenage on 31 August 2016, on loan until January 2017.[7] He made his senior debut for "Boro" on 24 September, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat to Exeter City at Broadhall Way.[10] He scored his first career goal in an EFL Trophy tie against Brighton & Hove Albion Under-23s on 4 October.[11] He marked his first league start with the winning goal in a 2–1 victory at Mansfield Town on 29 October.[12] Head coach Darren Sarll said that "it was a terrific finish, the temperament of the lad to go through on his debut and finish like that, top drawer, the lad's going to be a good player".[13]

In October 2017, McKirdy signed a contract extension to keep him at Villa Park until 2019.[14] On 19 January 2018, he signed for Crewe Alexandra on loan to the end of the 2017–18 season.[15] He scored on his debut after coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3–2 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers at Gresty Road on 20 January.[16] Manager David Artell revealed that: "He even said that if money was an issue then he would look to pay his own way. That made me smile. That shows a real desire and hunger to come out on loan and play some football."[17] McKirdy had been keen on the loan move with the "Railwaymen" and had consulted with Ashley Westwood and Steve Bruce before making up his mind.[18] He scored three goals in 16 League Two games at Crewe Alex.[3]

On 31 January 2019, McKirdy joined League Two side Newport County on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season.[19] He made his debut for the "Exiles" on 19 February as a second-half substitute in a 4–1 win at Notts County.[20] He scored his first goal for Newport on 13 April in a 3–0 win against Cambridge United.[21] He was part of the team that reached the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May, although he was an unused substitute in the final, which ended in a 1–0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers.[22] He was used primarily as a substitute by manager Michael Flynn, making 11 substitute appearances and only two starts during his time at Rodney Parade, scoring one goal.[3] McKirdy was released by Aston Villa in May 2019.[23]

Carlisle United

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McKirdy signed a one-year deal with League Two club Carlisle United on 11 June 2019.[24] He scored a headed goal six minutes into his debut for the "Cumbrians", in a 2–1 win over Crawley Town on 3 August.[25] Manager Steven Pressley said after the game that "I'm pleased for him because he's a really good kid. He takes a bit of managing, but he's a good kid underneath that".[26] McKirdy scored 11 goals from 38 games to finish as United's top-scorer for the 2019–20 season.[3] However, he was released in May 2020.[27] Manager Chris Beech said that "I respect the skill sets he has got... [but] Harry wasn't happy... [and] I don't want to get a footballer in a headlock and make him do something he doesn't want to do".[28]

Port Vale

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McKirdy signed a one-year contract with League Two side Port Vale on 11 September 2020 after impressing manager John Askey on trial.[29][30] He scored his first goal for the "Valiants" on 10 November, in a 4–2 win over Liverpool U21 at Vale Park in the group stages of the EFL Trophy.[31] He failed to establish himself in the first-team however, and was transfer-listed in December.[32] Interim manager Danny Pugh deselected him from the club's 22-man squad the following month.[33] McKirdy played for Leicester City U23's in February.[34] New Vale manager Darrell Clarke went on to state his regret at being unable to play McKirdy in the second half of the 2020–21 season and that he was still working to improve the player's mindset to prevent McKirdy's confidence from hindering his relationship with his coaches.[35] On 31 March, the club gained special dispensation from the EFL to register McKirdy back on the 22-man squad, in place of the injured Zak Mills.[36] Nevertheless, he was one of 15 players released from the club in May 2021.[37]

Swindon Town

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McKirdy scored twice in a pre-season friendly for Swindon Town in July 2021 and signed a one-year deal with the League Two club on 4 August; Ben Chorley, the "Robins" director of football said that "his attitude in both training and across all three preseason games has been fantastic".[38][39] He scored on his League Two debut for the "Robins", a 3–1 win at Scunthorpe United on the opening day of the 2021–22 season.[40] On New Year's Day, McKirdy scored four of Swindon's goals in their 5–2 win over Northampton Town at the County Ground.[41] In his post-match interview he reflected that "I just felt a little bit livelier out there... I need to try and get to a place where I'm like that every week."[42] On 7 January, he scored against Premier League champions Manchester City in a 4–1 home defeat in the FA Cup third round.[43] On 13 January, he extended his contract with the club beyond the end of the season.[44] He was named in the League Two Team of the Season at the EFL Awards for the 2021–22 season,[45] and later Swindon Town's Player of the Season at the club's annual awards ceremony.[46] He scored two goals in the play-off semi-final first leg victory over former club Port Vale, however, missed his penalty kick in the penalty shoot-out defeat at the end of the second leg.[47][48]

He was sent off in the second game of the 2022–23 season, after being shown two yellow cards during a 0–0 draw with Salford City.[49] He was reported to have subsequently gone into the referee's room and thrown a protein shake onto the referee's suit, leading to him being charged by The Football Association and being handed a three-match suspension and £1,500 fine after he admitted to "aggressive and improper" behaviour.[50][51]

Hibernian

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On 1 September 2022, McKirdy signed a three-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Hibernian after being bought for an undisclosed fee.[52] The deal between Hibernian and Swindon came close to collapsing, but was rushed through on the final day of the transfer window as Hibernian manager Lee Johnson was short of attacking options having already allowed Christian Doidge to leave on loan.[53] However, McKirdy hinted that he would like to return to Swindon the following month.[54] In May 2023, he was reportedly facing disciplinary action after posting a complaint on Instagram over his time on the substitutes bench; the Gareth Bale-inspired post read "Chels. Nina. Golf. Hibs", referencing his support for Chelsea, his partner Nina, his love of golf and low priority for Hibernian.[55][56][57]

In July 2023, routine scans revealed a medical issue that required cardiac surgery, ruling him out of action for up to six months.[58][59] Manager Nick Montgomery said that "he's a great kid and this will build resilience for him".[60] On 1 February 2024, he rejoined Swindon Town on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season.[61] He started one game and made eight substitute appearances during his loan spell, scoring one goal.[62]

Style of play

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McKirdy is a versatile attacker, able to play in any forward position, either centrally or out wide.[63] Crewe boss David Artell called McKirdy "a natural goalscorer" and "one of those nuisance forwards, who gets under the feet of centre-halves".[64][65] He has been criticised for his temperament, particularly in regards to his reactions to jeering by fans both on the pitch and on social media.[66]

Career statistics

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As of match played 6 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aston Villa 2016–17[67] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2017–18[68] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018–19[69] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stevenage (loan) 2016–17[67] League Two 11 1 1 0 0 0 1[a] 1 13 2
Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2017–18[68] League Two 16 3 — — — 16 3
Newport County (loan) 2018–19[69] League Two 12 1 — — 1[b] 0 13 1
Carlisle United 2019–20[70] League Two 28 5 5 5 2 1 3[a] 0 38 11
Port Vale 2020–21[71] League Two 8 0 1 0 1 0 2[a] 2 12 2
Swindon Town 2021–22[72] League Two 35 20 3 1 1 0 5[c] 3 44 24
2022–23[73] League Two 5 2 — 0 0 0 0 5 2
Total 40 22 3 1 1 0 5 3 49 26
Hibernian 2022–23[73] Scottish Premiership 22 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 23 0
2023–24[74] Scottish Premiership 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2024–25[75] Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 24 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 26 0
Swindon Town (loan) 2023–24[74] League Two 9 1 — — — 9 1
Career total 148 33 12 6 4 1 12 6 176 44
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in play-offs
  3. ^ Three appearances and one goal in the EFL Trophy and two appearances and two goals in League Two Play-Offs

Honours

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Individual

References

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  1. ^ "EFL Released and Retained List 2016-17" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Harry McKirdy". 11v11. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d Harry McKirdy at Soccerway  
  4. ^ a b Evans, Gregg (1 July 2016). "Aston Villa: Roberto Di Matteo keen on young trio – and promotes them to first-team set-up". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Football: St Joe's starlet hoping for a big future in the game with Villa". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 29 May 2013. Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  6. ^ Baggaley, Michael (3 September 2020). "'Show us what he can do' - Harry McKirdy training with Port Vale". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  7. ^ a b "McKirdy pens new deal and joins Stevenage on loan". Aston Villa F.C. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  8. ^ Kendrick, Mat (22 May 2016). "Villa clinch Hong Kong Soccer 7s title with a defender in goal!". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  9. ^ Evans, Gregg (24 May 2016). "Aston Villa striker returns with a bang after lengthy lay-off". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Match report: Stevenage 0, Exeter City 2". Stevenage F.C. 24 September 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  11. ^ "Stevenage 2-2 Brighton U23: Late McKirdy goal rescues point for Boro in Checkatrade Trophy". hertfordshiremercury.co.uk. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ "Mansfield Town 1-2 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 29 October 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  13. ^ McCartney, Aidan (1 November 2016). "Boss predicts big future for Aston Villa starlet". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  14. ^ Evans, Gregg (9 October 2017). "Aston Villa striker signs contract extension until 2019". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Signing: Harry McKirdy Joins On Loan From Aston Villa". CreweAlex.net. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  16. ^ "Crewe Alexandra 2-3 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  17. ^ Dicken, Alex (23 January 2018). "Villa youngster offered to 'pay his own way' to secure loan move". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  18. ^ Morse, Peter (19 January 2018). "Crewe Alex: Harry McKirdy on his loan move from Aston Villa". crewechronicle. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Newport sign Azeez, Kennedy and McKirdy". BBC Sport. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  20. ^ "Notts County 1-4 Newport County". BBC Sport. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Cambridge United 0-3 Newport County". BBC Sport. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  22. ^ Pearlman, Michael (25 May 2019). "Tranmere beat Newport to win promotion". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  23. ^ Evans, Gregg (30 May 2019). "Confirmed: Released Aston Villa man has found himself a new club". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  24. ^ "Harry McKirdy: Carlisle United sign former Aston Villa striker on one-year deal". BBC Football. BBC. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  25. ^ "Carlisle United 2-1 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  26. ^ Hall, Andy (7 August 2019). "MANAGER: He's such an exciting player". www.carlisleunited.co.uk. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  27. ^ "CLUB: End-of-season retained and released list confirmed". www.carlisleunited.co.uk. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  28. ^ Baggaley, Michael (20 May 2020). "Port Vale's rivals defend decision to release former Stoke City youth forward". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  29. ^ "Vale sign ex-Carlisle forward McKirdy". BBC Sport. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  30. ^ Baggaley, Michael (11 September 2020). "'Raring to go' - Port Vale sign Harry McKirdy". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  31. ^ Baggaley, Michael (10 November 2020). "Port Vale 4, Liverpool under-21s 2 - Report and ratings as Vale go through". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  32. ^ Baggaley, Michael (29 December 2020). "Port Vale boss on Robinson and McKirdy as they are left out". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  33. ^ Baggaley, Michael (11 January 2021). "Port Vale explain decision to leave Harry McKirdy out of plans". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  34. ^ Colman, Jon (16 February 2021). "Former Carlisle United top scorer plays for Premier League Under-23 side". News and Star. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  35. ^ Baggaley, Michael (19 March 2021). "Every word from Port Vale manager ahead of Colchester game". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  36. ^ Baggaley, Michael (31 March 2021). "Harry McKirdy back in squad after EFL accept Port Vale plea". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  37. ^ "2020/21 Retained List". Port Vale F.C. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  38. ^ Fielding, Rob (21 July 2021). "Former Port Vale winger Harry McKirdy plays for crisis club Swindon Town". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  39. ^ "Town bolster their ranks with McKirdy signing". Swindon Town F.C. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  40. ^ "Scunthorpe United 1-3 Swindon Town". BBC Sport. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  41. ^ Leighfield, Jonny (1 January 2022). "Harry New Year - McKirdy scores four as Swindon hammer Northampton". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  42. ^ Leighfield, Jonny (2 January 2022). "'I just felt a bit livelier' - McKirdy modest in reflection of four-goal display". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  43. ^ Aloia, Andrew (7 January 2022). "Covid-hit Man City too strong for Swindon". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  44. ^ "McKirdy's here to stay!". www.swindontownfc.co.uk. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  45. ^ a b "Football Manager EFL Team of the Season line-ups announced". EFL. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  46. ^ a b "Harry McKirdy cleans up in End of Season Awards". Swindon Town. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  47. ^ Baggaley, Michael (15 May 2022). "Wilson strike gives Port Vale hope as Swindon edge play-off 2-1". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  48. ^ Baggaley, Michael (19 May 2022). "Port Vale heading to Wembley after dramatic shoot-out win over Swindon". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  49. ^ Leighfield, Jonny (7 August 2022). "FA clarify McKirdy suspension details following striker's red card". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  50. ^ Leighfield, Jonny (23 August 2022). "McKirdy faces latest FA charge after throwing drink in officials' changing room". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  51. ^ Leighfield, Jonny (24 August 2022). "McKirdy hit with suspension and fine for throwing drink in referee's room". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  52. ^ "McKirdy one of three Hibs deadline day signings". BBC Sport. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  53. ^ Leighfield, Jonny (1 September 2022). "McKirdy's Hibs deal falls through in dying hours". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  54. ^ McDonald, Ryan (12 May 2023). "Harry McKirdy slammed by Hibs boss after Gareth Bale inspired social media post". footballscotland. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  55. ^ "'McKirdy faces disciplinary action over social media post'". BBC Sport. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  56. ^ McPartlin, Patrick (11 May 2023). "'Conversations are being had' - Hibs boss speaks on McKirdy social media post". Edinburgh News. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  57. ^ Wilson, Fraser (11 May 2023). "Harry McKirdy gets Hibs carpeting over social media post". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  58. ^ "Harry McKirdy Ruled Out For Significant Period Of Time". Hibernian FC. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  59. ^ McLauchlin, Brian (9 August 2023). "Harry McKirdy: Hibernian forward undergoes successful heart surgery". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  60. ^ Colman, Jon (18 January 2024). "Ex-Blues: manager salutes McKirdy's return from heart surgery". News and Star. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  61. ^ "Swindon sign McKirdy, Drinan and McGurk". BBC Sport. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  62. ^ Banks, Ben (26 April 2024). "Harry McKirdy Hibs future latest as Swindon Town loan spell reaches conclusion". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  63. ^ "BREAKING: Forward joins the Blues". www.carlisleunited.co.uk. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  64. ^ Kendrick, Mat (24 March 2018). "The story of the Villa striker, the telling off & the lucky t-shirt". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  65. ^ "Boss Hails Hard Working McKirdy". www.crewealex.net. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  66. ^ Colman, Jon (11 January 2020). "Nobody is above criticism, but who wouldn't react to the sort of flak Carlisle Utd's Harry McKirdy has also received?". News and Star. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  67. ^ a b "Games played by Harry McKirdy in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  68. ^ a b "Games played by Harry McKirdy in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  69. ^ a b "Games played by Harry McKirdy in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  70. ^ "Games played by Harry McKirdy in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  71. ^ "Games played by Harry McKirdy in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  72. ^ "Games played by Harry McKirdy in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  73. ^ a b "Games played by Harry McKirdy in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  74. ^ a b "Games played by Harry McKirdy in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  75. ^ "Games played by Harry McKirdy in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
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eth 3
games 12
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