Club legend and triple Brownlow medallist Bob Skilton will enjoy his 75th birthday in the comfort of his own home after finally being released from hospital last Monday.

Skilton, who turns 75 today, returned home last week after spending almost six months at St Vincent’s Hospital after complications arose from a routine hip replacement.

The club legend told the Herald Sun this week that he was relieved to finally be on the mend.

“I haven’t told too many people about the birthday; I’m just happy to be home again,” Skilton said.

“And I just can’t wait to get rid of my crutches.”

Skilton’s hip procedure hit a significant roadblock when he suffered a serious blood infection, which saw the champion Blood bedridden for a number of months before the hip replacement could be safely performed.

The setback also meant that this year was the first time since Skilton began his football career in 1956 that he did not attend at least one Swans game.

"I got a couple of bugs (in hospital) and the rest, as they say, is history. They (doctors) were trying to clear things up for me and wash (the bug) out,” the 237-game player said.

"I ended up having five operations along the way in my four-and-a-half months in hospital, then three months at home, and then back into hospital again."

Now out of hospital and back at home, Skilton said he is determined to be off his crutches and back on his feet by the end of the year and has his sights set on supporting the Swans from the stands in 2014.

"When you go into hospital on March 7 to have a new hip put in and you don't end up getting it finalised until so late in the year, that's so frustrating," he said

"I'm still on crutches at the moment and I'm not allowed to get in a car for another couple of weeks.

"They haven't given me a time (when he should be walking again), but let's hope it is by the end of the month."

Skilton thanked his wife Marion, his family, friends, former team mates and the staff at St Vincent’s hospital for their support throughout 2013.