Bohemian F.C. facts for kids
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| Full name | Bohemian Football Club | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Bohs The Gypsies Dublin's Originals |
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| Founded | 6 September 1890 | |||
| Ground | Dalymount Park | |||
| Capacity | 4,500 | |||
| Owner | Fan owned | |||
| Manager | Alan Reynolds | |||
| League | League of Ireland Premier Division | |||
| 2024 | League of Ireland Premier Division, 8th of 10 | |||
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Bohemian Football Club, often called Bohemians or Bohs, is a professional football team from Dublin, Ireland. They play in the League of Ireland Premier Division, which is the top football league in Ireland.
Bohemians are one of the most successful clubs in Irish football. They have won the League of Ireland title 11 times. They also won the FAI Cup 7 times and the League of Ireland Cup 3 times. Before the League of Ireland started, they even won the Irish Cup once. They hold the record for winning the Leinster Senior Cup an amazing 33 times!
The club was started on September 6, 1890, by a group of students and others in Phoenix Park. They were one of the first teams to join the League of Ireland in 1921. In their early years, Bohs were very strong, winning many titles. However, for a long time, they struggled because their players were not paid.
In 1969, Bohemians changed and started paying their players. After this, they won many trophies in the 1970s. They had another great period in the 2000s, winning the league and cup in 2001 and 2008. They also won the league again in 2003 and 2009.
Bohemians play their home games at Dalymount Park in Phibsborough, Dublin. The club is owned by its fans. Their team colours are red and black. Fans often call them "Bohs," "The Gypsies," or "Dublin's Originals." They have a big rivalry with Shamrock Rovers, another Dublin team.
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Club History and Achievements
Bohemians started on September 6, 1890. They were the first Dublin club to join the Irish Football League in 1902. Their biggest win during that time was the Irish Cup in 1908.
In 1921, Bohemians helped start the League of Ireland. They are one of only two clubs that have been in the league since the very beginning. They are also the only club that has always stayed in the top division. They finished second in their first season.
The club won its first league title in 1924. In 1928, they won both the league and their first FAI Cup. Bohemians were a very strong team in the early years of the league. They won three more league titles and another FAI Cup in the next eight seasons.
After this successful period, the club found it hard to win trophies. This was mainly because they only had amateur players, meaning players were not paid. They went 34 seasons without winning a major trophy. In 1969, they decided to become a professional club.
In the 1970s, Bohemians won more trophies than any other club. They won two league titles, two FAI Cups, and two League Cups. In 1970, they played in a European competition for the first time. After another quiet period, they won their fifth FAI Cup in 1992.
In 2001, they won the league title again and also the FAI Cup. They won another league title in 2003. In 2008, under manager Pat Fenlon, they won both the league and the FAI Cup. In 2009, Bohemians won the League Cup for the third time.
On November 6, 2009, Bohemians won the league title again. This was their first time winning the league two years in a row. They almost won it a third time in 2010 but lost out on goal difference.
Home Stadiums
Bohemians first played their home games at the Polo Ground in Phoenix Park. Their equipment was kept at the Gate Lodge on North Circular Road. In 1893, they moved to a private ground on Jones Road, which is now Croke Park. This allowed them to charge for tickets and earn money.
They moved to Whitehall Farm in Glasnevin in 1895. However, this area was hard to reach without public transport. So, the club kept looking for a new home. They found it at Dalymount Park, which opened on September 7, 1901.
In 2006, the club's members decided to sell Dalymount Park. The plan was to build a new 10,000-seat stadium near Dublin Airport. However, this plan faced problems and did not happen. In March 2015, Dublin City Council announced they would buy Dalymount Park. They completed the purchase in June 2015.
The Council plans to rebuild Dalymount Park. The new stadium will have a capacity of 7,880 people. The work is expected to finish in 2026. Bohemians will likely need to play their games elsewhere during the rebuilding.
Playing in Europe
Bohemians first played in European competitions in 1970. It has been tough for them, like for most Irish clubs. But they have had some amazing wins! Their most famous moment was beating Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen in the UEFA Cup in August 2000. They won 2-1 away from home, scoring two late goals. This was the first time an Irish club beat a British team away from home in Europe.
They have also had good results against teams like Rangers and Kaiserslautern. They have drawn games against Newcastle United and Sporting CP. In total, they have beaten 11 different teams from 9 countries. In 2008, they had their biggest European win, beating Rhyl 5-1 at home and 9-3 overall.
In 2009, Bohs played against Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League. They drew 1-1 away but lost 1-0 at home. In 2010, they played The New Saints from Wales in the Champions League. They won the first game 1-0 but lost the second 4-0, which was a very disappointing result.
After almost ten years, Bohs returned to European football in 2020. They played against Fehérvár from Hungary in the 2020-2021 UEFA Europa League qualifiers. They lost in a penalty shootout. In 2021, they played in the new Europa Conference League. They sold out their home matches at Aviva Stadium and won 3-0 against Stjarnan FC and F91 Dudelange.
Their 2021 European journey ended against PAOK from Greece. Bohs won the first game 2-1 at the Aviva Stadium, which was a fantastic win. However, they lost the second game 2-0 and were knocked out.
European Performance Summary
| Competition | Games Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Cup / UEFA Champions League | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 29 |
| UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League | 31 | 3 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 57 |
| UEFA Europa Conference League | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 4 |
| European Cup Winners' Cup | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 13 |
| UEFA Intertoto Cup | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 20 |
| TOTAL | 73 | 17 | 17 | 39 | 61 | 123 |
Club Culture and Community
Since the 2010s, Bohemians have become known for their focus on social issues. They use their club to support important causes in the community. This includes working against racism and helping people who are homeless or refugees. They also support LGBT rights.
This approach is inspired by clubs like FC St Pauli in Germany, which is known for its strong community focus. Bohemians works with groups like Focus Ireland and Amnesty International. Their goal is to be a club that cares about wider social issues.
This has brought the club a lot of support. People feel that Bohemians stands for more than just football. Some critics, like former manager Roddy Collins, have said they feel the club focuses too much on politics. However, many supporters believe it makes the club stronger and more unique.
Fans and Rivalries
Bohs' fans mostly come from the north side of Dublin. They have a big rivalry with Shamrock Rovers, a team from the south side. But Bohemians also have fans from all over Ireland and the world. They also have a rivalry with their nearby neighbours, Shelbourne. This is because both clubs are very close to each other and were important in early Dublin football.
Some Bohemians fans have formed an "ultra" group called The Notorious Boo-Boys. They use flags and displays to make the atmosphere at home games exciting. Bohemians fans also have friendly connections with fans of other clubs, like Bohemians 1905 in Prague and Wrexham AFC in Wales.
Many famous people support Bohemians, including singer Johnny Logan and members of the band Aslan.
Women's Teams
Bohemians started a women's team in the Under-17 Women's National League in 2019. Their goal was to grow women's football at the club. Their first game was on April 13, 2019, against Cork City.
In 2020, Bohemians joined the Women's National League, the top women's league in Ireland. Their first match was on August 8, 2020, against Wexford Youths. Chloe Darby scored the first goal for the Bohemians women's team, making history.
Bohemians Academy (Youth Teams)
Bohemians has a strong youth system. They have teams in the LOI National Underage Leagues for all age groups. Their academy includes six teams: boys' U19, U17, U15, and U14 teams. They also have girls' U19 and U17 teams.
Beyond these national teams, Bohemians has over 500 boys and girls playing in 25 teams. These teams play in local leagues like the Dublin and District Schoolboys'/Girls' League (DDSL).
Academy Staff
| Role | Staff Member |
|---|---|
| Director of Academy |  Trevor Croly |
| MU19 Head Coach | Trevor Croly |
| WU19 Head Coach | Gavin Hughes |
| MU17 Coach | Daryl Farrelly |
| MU17 Coach | Derek Kavanagh |
| WU17 Coach | Ger Rowe |
| WU17 Coach | Aodhan Kennedy |
| MU15 Head Coach | Paul Donnelly |
| MU14 Head Coach | Ray Scully |
| Academy Development Coach | Gary Deegan |
| Academy GK Coach | Chris Bennion |
Bohemian Futsal
Bohemian Futsal is the club's futsal team. Futsal is a type of indoor football. They play in the AUL Futsal Premier Division. The winners of this league get to compete in the UEFA Futsal Champions League. Bohemians is the only League of Ireland club with a futsal team.
Training Ground and University Partnership
In 2021, Bohemians and Dublin City University (DCU) started an 18-year partnership. As part of this, the DCU Sports Campus became Bohemians' main training base. Bohemians plans to invest about €1.5 million into the facilities.
The training complex has four grass pitches and one artificial turf pitch. It also has a modern gym. Future plans include another artificial pitch, club offices, meeting rooms, and a physio room.
Current Players
First Team Squad
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Players on Loan
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Team Captains
| Years | Name |
|---|---|
| 2012–2013 | Owen Heary |
| 2014 | Dave Mulcahy |
| 2015–2019 | Derek Pender |
| 2020–2021 | Keith Buckley |
| 2022 | Conor Levingston |
| 2023– | Keith Buckley |
Player of the Year Awards
Bohemian's Player of the Year award is chosen by the club's fans at the end of each season.
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Coaching and Support Staff
| Role | Staff Member |
|---|---|
| Manager | Alan Reynolds |
| Assistant Coach |
Stephen O'Donnell |
| Coach | Derek Pender |
| Academy Manager | Trevor Croly |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Sean Fogarty |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | Stephen Lawlor |
| Head Physio | Danny Miller |
| Equipment and Logistics Manager | Colin "Colly" O'Connor |
| Kitman | Aaron Fitzsimons |
Club Trophies
- League of Ireland/Premier Division (11 times):
- 1923–24, 1927–28, 1929–30, 1933–34, 1935–36, 1974–75, 1977–78, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2008, 2009
- FAI Cup (7 times):
- 1927–28, 1934–35, 1969–70, 1975–76, 1991–92, 2000–01, 2008
- Irish Cup (1 time):
- 1907–08
- League of Ireland Cup (3 times):
- 1974–75, 1978–79, 2009
- League of Ireland Shield (6 times):
- 1923–24, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1933–34, 1938–39, 1939–40
- Setanta Sports Cup (1 time):
- 2010
- LFA President's Cup (13 times):
- 1965–66, 1967–68, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1982–83, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1997–98, 2000–01, 2001–02
- Dublin City Cup (1 time):
- 1935–36
- Dublin and Belfast Inter-City Cup (1 time):
- 1944–45
- Top Four Cup (1 time):
- 1971–72
- Aciéries d'Angleur Trophy (1 time):
- 1929
- Leinster Senior League (8 times):
- 1899–1900, 1900–01, 1901–02, 1904–05, 1912–13, 1913–14, 1917–18, 1931–32
- Leinster Senior Cup (33 times - a record!):
- 1893–94, 1894–95, 1895–96, 1896–97, 1897–98, 1898–99, 1901–02, 1902–03, 1904–05, 1906–07, 1909–10, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1914–15, 1915–16, 1925–26, 1927–28, 1939–40, 1946–47, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1972–73, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1988–89, 1992–93, 1997–98, 2015–16, 2022–23
- FAI Intermediate Cup (1 time):
- 1931–32
- FAI Youth Cup (3 times):
- 1969–70, 2001–02, 2014–15
Club Records
- Most League Points: 85 points in 2008 (in 33 games).
- Biggest League Win: 10–1 against University College Dublin on August 16, 2019.
- Biggest Leinster Senior Cup Win: 11–0 against Grangegorman on December 26, 1946 (in the final).
- Biggest League Loss: 0–5 against St Patrick's Athletic on December 6, 1996.
- Record League Goal Scorer: Glen Crowe with 133 goals.
- Most League Goals in One Season: Glen Crowe with 25 goals in 2000–01.
- Most Games Played (Player): 575 games by Tommy Kelly.
- Most Goals Scored (Player): 192 goals by Turlough O'Connor.
- Youngest Player: Evan Ferguson at 14 years and 337 days (on September 20, 2019).
- Oldest Player: Gary Matthews at 40 years old.
- First Goal Scorer: Joseph Whelan against Britannia on November 1, 1890.
- Quickest Red Card: Gareth Fleming in 8 minutes against St Patricks Athletic in 2001.
Manager History
- Seán Thomas (1964–67)
- Pat Murphy (May 1967 – April 68)
- Seán Thomas (1968–73)
- Billy Young (1973–89)
- Padraig O'Connor (1989–90)
- Eamonn Gregg (1990–93)
- Turlough O'Connor (1993–98)
- Joe McGrath (1998)
- Roddy Collins (1998–01)
- Pete Mahon (2001)
- Stephen Kenny (2001–04)
- Gareth Farrelly (2004–06)
Sean Connor (Nov 2006 – Dec 2007)- Pat Fenlon (Dec 2007 – Nov 2011)
- Aaron Callaghan (Jan 2012 – July 2013)
- Owen Heary (interim) (July 2013 – Sept 2013)
- Bobby Browne (Sep 2013 – Nov 2013)
- Owen Heary (Jan 2014 – Nov 2014)
- Keith Long (Nov 2014 – Aug 2022)
- Derek Pender (interim) (Aug 2022 – Oct 2022)
- Declan Devine (Oct 2022 – March 2024)
- Derek Pender (interim) (March 2024)
- Alan Reynolds (March 2024 – present)
Images for kids
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Panoramic view of inside Dalymount Park
See also
In Spanish: Bohemian Football Club para niños
