Bohs and DCU reach 18-year deal on shared facilities

Bohemian Football Club and Dublin City University have reached an agreement on an 18-year partnership which will see the DCU Sports Campus become Bohemian’s training base.

For Bohemian FC, this commitment will be its biggest capital investment since 1998, when the Jodi Stand in Dalymount Park was developed.

It is expected that the club will invest a “significant” seven-figure sum over the next 18 years into the project.

The partnership and relocation to the DCU Sport Campus comes in three phases.

The first phase, which has been completed, has seen all of the dressing rooms be re-fitted and refurbished with funding from the Gypsies Supporters Trust.

The second phase, which is also completed, included the development of player meeting rooms, offices for academy and team staff, physio room and a kit room.

The third and final phase will see the construction of another football all-weather pitch with co-usage for DCU football, Bohs and St Kevin’s Boys FC.

Access and usage will also be provided to multiple associations, including disadvantaged groups.

Phase three is currently in progress.

In welcoming the partnership, DCU President, Professor Daire Keogh, said: “DCU and Bohs share a deep commitment to our communities and a passionate belief in the positive impact of sport on people’s lives.

“This exciting partnership with Bohemians builds on DCU’s success in supporting high performance sporting achievement, as well as promoting sport for all.

“This innovative venture promises to be hugely beneficial for football, and sport in general, in DCU and across the North Dublin region.”

Bohemian FC CEO Daniel Lambert said the investment is a “landmark moment for our club.”

“The key driver in delivering this partnership, for such a long period, was our shared core values and our common goal to use sport as a force for good in society.

“Bohemian FC is a fan-owned football club that now operates sustainably with respect and care for the communities we work within – this partnership embodies those aims.

“I wish to particularly thank Ken Robinson, Declan Raftery and James Galvin from DCU for their contribution and input in delivering this partnership.”

Keith Long, Bohemian FC first team manager said that both parties will benefit from the agreement.

“DCU is a university that is immersed in sport – as is evident by their world class facilities and their School of Health and Human Performance, which is renowned for its research and development in areas such as sport science and athletic therapy.

“It is without doubt that Bohemians will benefit from being in such a high-performance environment as the club looks to progress sustainably into the future.

“We are looking forward with excitement at the potential of this partnership and the scope for growth it offers our club, which has committed to significant capital investment to advance the facility further.”