Bohs unveil away jersey in collaboration with Fontaines DC and Focus Ireland

Bohemian Football Club has unveiled their 2021 away jersey in conjunction with Fontaines DC and Focus Ireland to tackle homelessness

It has been made possible by the club’s main partner Des Kelly Interiors with 15% of the jersey profits set to go directly to Focus Ireland.

A one-off, the jersey paying homage to Dublin and Ireland in its design, which features Celtic knotwork, the Poolbeg towers, Grattan Bridge lamps, the ‘Dublin in the rain is mine’ Fontaines lyric, and Patrick Pearse’s quote ‘Beware of the Risen People’ from the wall of Kilmainham Gaol.

This quote embodies the human spirit and that there is hope for everyone even when at their lowest ebb.

Focus Ireland helps over 14,000 people each year who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

They also provide a place to call home for more than 1100 households nationwide. The charity believes that homelessness can – and must – be ended as nobody should be homeless in Ireland today.

Tom Coll, Fontaines DC drummer, said:

“We’re extremely proud to be a part of the new Bohs kit in conjunction with Focus Ireland as they are two organisations that we hold very close to our hearts.

“Bohemians and the work they do on a social inclusion, humanitarian and the community development level is something that we are proud to support in any way that we can.

“We used to rehearse in a little shed in Phibsborough years ago and the spirit surrounding Bohs is something that we found both welcoming and a true necessity to forward thinking, socially conscious action on a community level.

“Seeing their Refugees Welcome kit last season was an eye-opener to what kind of a message a football kit could achieve, instilling pride in a community and also spreading awareness and raising money for a social issue that is grossly neglected.

“We hope that this jersey can do something similar with Focus Ireland and we can raise some money for the tireless work they provide for the homeless community in Ireland.

“We’ve worked with Focus Ireland in the past and we’ve found them to be a genuinely amazing charity in their work both on a grassroots level and also in the battle to shape adequate policy on sustainable housing provision for people who need it.

“Anyone living in Dublin city knows that the homeless crisis has gotten to the stage where large scale government action is needed immediately and without question.

“We hope that this kit can raise some money for Focus Ireland to work towards a fairer Ireland for everyone.”

Daniel Lambert, Bohemian FC, COO:

“With massive thanks to Des Kelly Interiors, it is brilliant to link up with Fontaines DC who are no strangers to Dalymount Park, and Focus Ireland who do such essential work combatting homelessness across the country.

“We know that football and music both have enormous power to reach people and engage people.

“Homelessness is not something that must exist, it can, and it should be solved, and we need to ensure as a society that it is not normalised and accepted.”

Pat Dennigan, CEO Focus Ireland, said:

“This partnership with Bohemian Football Club and Fontaines DC will help to highlight the problems while also supporting work towards building a common belief that it’s possible to end homelessness.

“There are nearly 8,500 people homeless and 2500 of them are children. This is wrong and unacceptable and must never be allowed to ever become part of the ‘new normal’.

“Many in society are struggling due to the terrible pandemic and it is more important than ever for everyone to have access to a safe place to call home.

“The project will also raise vital funds to support Focus Ireland’s work with over 14,000 people each year who are homeless or at risk and we are very thankful to Bohemians and Fontaines DC for their great support.”