Bohemian FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of Daniel Lambert as the club’s new Chief Operating Officer.

Lambert, who has served as a volunteer board member of the club for most of the last decade, will commence employment in his new role on September 1.

Bohemian FC president Chris Brien said: “As a club, we have experienced huge growth in all areas in recent years and because of this, we simply cannot rely solely on volunteers to run our operations as we have been doing.

“Both our volunteers and existing staff are overstretched, unsustainably so. Collectively as members, we have got the club back on very solid ground but we now need the support of full-time staff if we are to consolidate that and grow ourselves further.

“We are reviewing all areas with the aim of maximising the club’s potential, while at the same time easing the ever-increasing burden on the volunteer board and other volunteers so crucial in the day-to-day running of the club.

“One of these changes is the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer. This position was advertised in June. We had 28 applicants, with six getting to the interview stage.

“We employed an independent recruitment specialist, Jerry Dempsey, and he and I interviewed each candidate. The standard was extremely high and all of the candidates had their own merits.

“However, we both agreed that, clearly, Daniel was the best candidate and our recommendation was supported unanimously by the club’s board, with the exception of Daniel and Stephen Lambert, who exempted themselves from all the discussions.

“Daniel is a successful businessman in his own right, and his experience and success as commercial and marketing director played a huge role in his appointment.

“Under his watch, our commercial income has grown year-on-year and we now have committed commercial partners who are not just sponsors, but long-term social partners who buy into the ethos of what we are trying to achieve as a club embedded in our community.

“On the marketing side, he along with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers, has seen the club reach new heights. Marketing has played a big role in increasing our crowds over the past couple of seasons which, pre-Covid, were the highest they have been in generations, while the success of our merchandise operations, now by far and away the best in the league, continues to amaze.

“Personally, and on behalf of the club, I wish to welcome Daniel to his new role and congratulate him on his appointment. I have no doubt that he will help us move forward to a different level.”

In accordance with the club’s constitution, Lambert will vacate his position on the board, at the upcoming AGM, before assuming his new position.

Lambert said: “To focus on growing the club in a full-time capacity, moving from a decade of volunteerism on the board, is a huge personal honour and something I will give every ounce of my efforts to.

“To me, this is a club like no other. A fully members-owned club that is operated sustainably, profitably, democratically and with a big net positive impact on society.

“The Bohemian Football Club was highly innovative and progressive when established 130 years ago. We are quickly returning to these qualities and I want to help us build upon the positive momentum of the turnaround of the past decade and truly realise our full potential.”

We can now confirm that our Europa League tie with Fehérvár FC has been scheduled for 6.30pm local time (5.30pm Dublin time) on Thursday August 27 at the MOL Aréna Sóstó.

Bohs – making our first appearance in European competition since 2012 – were drawn against the Hungarian side in yesterday’s draw, which was conducted in Nyon.
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Due to disruption to the football calendar because of Covid-19, this year’s qualifiers will be decided over one leg and behind closed doors.

In line with Uefa’s Covid-19 protocols, Keith Long’s team will travel by charter, flying out to Budapest at 8am on Wednesday August 26.

Meanwhile, the Extra.ie FAI Cup second round draw will take place tomorrow noon at FAI HQ Abbotstown.

The draw will be screened live on the FAIreland Facebook page. There were just three first-round ties, with Bohs receiving a bye to the second round.

Shane Supple has been appointed Head of Goalkeeping at the Bohs-SKB Academy.

The 33-year-old joined Bohemians from Crumlin United in 2016 and made 75 appearances for the club before hanging up his gloves at the end of the 2018 season.

In his time at Bohemians, he was named the club’s Player of the Year in 2018, was named in the 2018 PFAI Team of the Year, and received an Ireland call-up for games against the USA and France.

He previously played for Ipswich Town in the English Championship before returning home to concentrate on his GAA career with St Brigid’s and Dublin.

Supple assumes his new role with the Bohemians-St Kevin’s Boys teams ahead of the delayed start of the underage League of Ireland underage season, which sees both the Bohs-SKB U15 and U17 sides in action this weekend.

Bohemians first team manager Keith Long said: “It’s a really positive appointment. A person of Shane’s calibre has a lot to pass on to the next generation of players coming through.

“It’s great to have another experienced recent former player involved with the Bohs-SKB set-up following the appointment of Derek Pender as manager of the U17s at the start of the year.

“Shane, both as a player and a person, was a great fit for us before and I’ve no doubt he will be once again in this role.”

Bohs-SKB Technical Director Alan Caffrey said: “We are delighted to have someone of Shane’s experience involved in the coaching staff.

“He is someone players can really learn from and he will complement the excellent work being done with the goalkeepers coming through by Chris Conway.”

Supple said: “I’m delighted to be back involved. Bohemians is a club that means a lot to me as every knows.

“I’m hoping I can give back to the players coming through from my own experience in the game.

“I’m looking forward to working with the players and coaching staff of all the teams, including the likes of Derek Pender who was my captain and is a good friend of mine, as well as working closely with Chris Bennion, goalkeeping coach with the first team.”

Bohs-SKB U17s start their season away to Cabinteely on Saturday at 2pm, while Bohs-SKB U15s are in action at noon Sunday at home to Drogheda United at Shanowen Road.

Bohs-SKB U13s and Bohemians U19s start their season later in the month.

The U19s are away to Drogheda United on Saturday August 22, while the U13s are also away to the same opposition on Sunday August 30.

In what was an excruciatingly long 154 days since The Gypsies tasted competitive action at the Home of Irish Football, what better way to restart than to welcome the Champions.

Keith Longs men enjoyed a good 1-0 win away at Turners cross upon their return, and were looking to leapfrog tonight’s opponents, who sat just a point ahead in the league standings in second place.

Coming into the game, the hosts had the best defensive record in the league, conceding just the three goals despite being without last season’s player of the year James Talbot since the start of the season. Stephen McGuiness has been in excellent form keeping 4 clean sheets in his five appearances

Bohs got off to a dream start, when, after just seven minutes and with their first meaningful attack, took the lead with a quality move. Anto Breslin whipped in an enticing cross to the back post and found Danny Grant , who stole a yard on his marker, to power home the opener.

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Preview: Bohemians v Dundalk
SSE Airtricity League
Friday August 8 2020
Dalymount Park, 5.45pm

All his focus is on Dundalk tonight but Andy Lyons will have a keen interest in another Bohemians game this weekend as girlfriend Annmarie Byrne lines out for the club’s first-ever game in the top tier of the Women’s National League.

The men’s team host the league champions at Dalymount this evening before attention turns to an historic day for the club when the women’s team travel south east to take on Wexford Youths in their season opener.

Andy said: “It’s great for the club and Annmarie is really looking forward to it. They have been made feel really welcome and appreciated by the club.

“She already has a feel for Dalymount and the club as whole from being to games and they can’t wait to get started.

“The club want to treat the women’s team with the same amount of respect as the men’s team. That’s the aim and that’s the way it should be.”

Annmarie, who joined at the start of the year having previously played for Kilkenny and Lucan United, said: “I’m really looking forward to finally getting started. It’s a great opportunity for us all.

“We haven’t had many games together for obvious reasons this year so we don’t know what to expect.

“I was familiar with the club and went to games before I met Andy. There’s a great atmosphere in Dalymount at games and there is a great buzz around this team too.

“We have really been welcomed by the club and were spoken to about the club’s history and ethos by directors this week which gave us even more for a feel for it.

“It’s an historic step for the club and we’re delighted that we are the ones making it.”

Despite playing on the right wing, Annmarie will wear the No 2 jersey – the same number worn by right-back Andy. She added: “It wasn’t my choice, it was given to me!”

For Andy, who celebrated his 20th birthday last Sunday with a 1-0 win away to Cork City, the number one priority right now is how to get the better of the standard-bearers of recent seasons this evening.

He said: “I first played against Dundalk when I was 17 and it was an experience! You were left under no illusions as to how good they are and what we will be up against again tonight.

“They have some excellent players and it’s up to us to try and match that.

“Having only 12 games left to go means you have to really focus your minds on those. It was a long break from football and it’s a strange season.

“But we are looking forward to the games now and we’ll see what comes our way in the FAI Cup and Europe too, which we are all looking forward to.”

Bohs made a positive start to the recommencement of the 2020 season as Andre Wright’s early goal was enough to take maximum points on Leeside.

Lyons added: “Turner’s Cross is never easy. Our record down there hasn’t been the best in recent years. It was important that we got the three points and hopefully we can build some momentum from that.

“It is weird playing in empty stadiums – everyone is saying it. But I’m only two years with the first team really so I was used to playing in empty stadiums for the U17s and U19s.

“But it is a big change from what we are used to with the first team. There’s no point anyone dwelling on it too much. We just have to adapt to it.”

TEAM NEWS

Bohemians will be without Cristian Magerusan (knee), Ross Tierney (ankle) and Paddy Kirk (ankle).

Danny Mandroiu (hip) is a doubt but Glen McAuley (concussion) returns.[/toggle]

Bohemian FC is delighted to announce that a free online live audio described commentary service will be available for the remainder of our home games this season.

The service will allow blind and visually impaired supporters to have an inclusive commentary that caters specific to their needs.

Bohemian FC is committed to making games at Dalymount Park accessible to all and while Covid-19 has made that impossible, we hope this service will allow more people to at least be able to continue to enjoy our games from the comfort of their own home.

This is the first of its kind and we hope that this service will give people with a visual impairment a greater sense of inclusiveness during these challenging times.

The move follows the successful pilot programme in partnership with NCBI that provides in-house audio described commentary at Dalymount Park for blind and visually impaired supporters, which is now on hold due to Covid-19 capacity restrictions.

Disability Access Officer James Flanagan said: “Although this is a service provided for our home fans, we would hope that visually impaired football fans from around Ireland and abroad, who may not support our club, would tune in and try out the service.

“We would like to thank the Iona Resource Centre and Sight and Sound Technology for assisting us with getting this initiative up and running.”

The live commentary link is posted on our social media channels on matchdays.

Bohemian FC will use its first season in the top flight of the Women’s National League to help raise awareness for Dublin’s homeless.

The Bohs home and away jerseys will display the logo of Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH), a volunteer-run outreach charity who champion the cause and highlight the plight of those left behind by society in Dublin City.

ICHH volunteers run daily and nightly outreach services for those forced to sleep rough on Dublin’s streets, providing food, water, hot drinks, hygiene products and clothing, as well as advice for those seeking shelter.

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Preview: Cork City v Bohemians
Sunday August 2 2020, Turner’s Cross, 5pm
Live on WatchLOI

Bohemians may be playing in front of virtually empty stadiums for the foreseeable future but the backing they have received from supporters is driving them on now more than ever.

149 days have passed since the Gypsies last took to the field in the SSE Airtricity League – a 2-0 victory over Shelbourne at Dalymount Park back in March with second-half goals from Andre Wright and Danny Mandroiu.

The intervening period has presented great challenges right across the globe but in a time of extraordinary adversity, Bohemians will mark our 130th year with renewed resolve.

The strength of the bond between players and supporters, which has blossomed under Keith Long since he took charge ahead of the 2015 season, was there for all to see as members, season ticket holders, sponsors and the wider Bohemian community dug deep over the course of the lockdown since March.

Those endeavours ensured that staff and players wages were paid in full and averted the potentially catastrophic financial impact of Covid-19 that could have seen the great strides made in recent seasons unravel.

Had the challenges posed by the pandemic hit in any number of seasons gone by, it is doubtful that the club would have been in a position to honour contracts. Now Long and his team are keen to repay the backing they have received from supporters between now and the end of the truncated 2020 season.

Long said: “Even without them being in the ground, our fans continue to motivate this team. Without their backing over the past four months or so, we might not be here.

“They’ve been right behind us when we’ve been on the pitch for the years I’ve been here and they’ve been right behind us during this difficult period too.

“That’s in the back of everyone’s mind – the players don’t need any reminding that without the support of the members, season ticket holders, sponsors and everyone else at the club, things could have been so much different.

“It has been a challenging time for everyone so for us to receive the level of backing we have in that context hasn’t gone unnoticed by anyone.

“We will collectively be doing our utmost between now and the end of the season to repay that faith.”

Playing in empty stadiums will get some getting used to.

From the roar of the Jodi Stand when the team enters the pitch at Dalymount Park to the boisterous vocal away support received the length and breadth of the country, this Bohs team is used to strong backing wherever they play.

Long said: “There’s certainly an element of unknown going into this and it is up to us to adapt quickly.

“It’s obviously going to be very different to what we are used to. There is normally a large home support at Turner’s Cross and we normally bring a good travelling support down too.

“But we are determined that wherever our fans are watching the stream of the game that we can go out and give them a good performance and result. We are really looking forward to it.”

Bohs have had four friendly games in recent weeks to get the team back up to speed with wins at home to Derry City and Longford Town, and defeats away to Dundalk and Linfield.

Long added: “We’ve played a good level of opposition in warm-up games but this is the real deal and we have to be ready.

“This is about getting off to a positive start. But it won’t be easy. We’ve never had it easy down in Turner’s Cross.

“There are only 12 games remaining after this one so we know we are going to have to be up to speed from the very start.”

TEAM NEWS

Bohemians will be without Cristian Magerusan (knee), Glen McAuley (concussion) and Paddy Kirk (ankle).[/toggle]

Bohemian Football Club is pleased to confirm that should we be drawn at home in our Europa League qualifier next month, the tie will take place at the Aviva Stadium.

The club wishes to express its thanks to the FAI for facilitating this.

Hosting a potential home tie at a modern and spacious world class facility would allow the club to maintain the absolute maximum levels of health and safety measures in line with Uefa Covid-19 European football protocols.

Due to upheaval in the football calendar as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, qualifiers for both the Champions and Europa League this season will be a single game each rather than played over two legs.

Bohemians will find out on Monday August 10 who we will face – and whether we will have home advantage – in the first qualifying round, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday August 27.

The game will be played behind closed doors in line with Uefa’s current protocols.

Bohemians are delighted to unveil our Dalymount Gin, which is now available on limited release to pre-order from gin.bohemians.ie.

This is a unique first for the club in our 130-year history, and is another important fundraising initiative as we navigate through these difficult times.

Dalymount Gin, which costs €50 per bottle, contains botanicals picked from Dalymount and around Dublin 7, including nettles, dandelion and elderflower.

A big thanks to DrinkStore, Stoneybatter, who are our partners for sales and delivery, and who have allowed us to use their licence and online system to sell Dalymount Gin, with all profits going to Bohemians.

Click and collect orders will be available from Saturday July 4, while deliveries commence Monday July 6.