Update Emerges Regarding Former Swindon Town Forward

Former Swindon Town forward Harry McKirdy has undergone successful heart surgery and has begun a period of recovery.

The player initially shared an update from his hospital bed on his personal social media accounts. However, the news has now officially been confirmed by current club Hibernian in an update posted on their Twitter page.

The enigmatic forward was subject to transfer interest from and Leyton Orient, as exclusively revealed by The Real EFL. His former manager Ben Garner was keen on a reunion as he continues to build a squad capable of playing his distinctive style of football.

However, the chance to play in League One with Leyton Orient was the preferred option. The move was progressing until routine pre-season medical checks produced a serious heart diagnosis that has resulted in surgery and a four to six month spell on the sidelines. The medical issue rules out any potential move for the player this summer, whilst a move in January very much depends on his recovery.

His move to Hibernian has not produced the results, fans nor the player had hoped for as public clashes with manager Lee Johnson, social media issues and a lack of game time have resulted in frustration for all parties involved.

The player does however appear to be in high spirits as he poked fun at League One club Port Vale following their thrashing at the hands of Barnsley. McKirdy was on the receiving end of Vale fans’ mockery after skying his penalty kick in the play-off semi final loss in the 2021/22 season. He has also suggested that he will be starting his own golfing YouTube channel where he will interview selected guests.

Harry is a unique individual, he allows his personality to show unlike the majority of modern footballers. I’m gutted that he has been unable to leave somewhere to enjoy his football again. I suspect if he is able to, he will still move in the Winter window. As Hibernian under Lee Johnson is not the right fit for him.

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An underpass will be demolished next weekend as part of the £34 million redevelopment of Swindon’s town centre by infrastructure contractor Colas.

The subway links the town centre to the bus and railway stations. The underpass will be closed from Monday (August 14) and will then be removed filled to create a new ‘gateway’ between the transport terminals and The Parade shopping centre for visitors arriving in town by bus or train.

Read more: Swindon Council appoints contractor for £33 million bus boulevard scheme

The work is part of the wider Fleming Way Bus Boulevard scheme, which will see Fleming Way completely transformed to accommodate all bus services in the town and will include a new public open space on the north side with a green central spine to increase biodiversity.

Colas will plant trees and bee-friendly plants which will introduce more greenery and biodiversity to the area. The new planting will not only increase the biodiversity in the town centre, but it will also have a function, forming part of the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems which will run down the centre of the carriageway.

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The scheme will also feature much-improved pedestrian and cycle routes and the removal of the current Fleming Way underpass creating an attractive route from the train station into the town centre.

£25 million of funding was awarded by the government’s Future High Streets Fund. It is estimated that the overall project will help to increase land values in the area by an additional £34 million, making it significantly more attractive to investors.