Bohemian Football Club Crest

The Author Philip Howlin was born at 13 Dalymount, less than 100 yards away from Bohs home ground. It was almost inevitable that he therefore took an interest in Bohemians as an early age. His first official act for the club was in the first weekend of November 1938 when he sold the club programme for Bohemians v Sligo Rovers. At that stage he had become a boy associate member on 4th November 1938.

 Educated at O’Connell Schools and T.C.D., he was first elected to the Management Committee as Hon. Treasurer in 1958. As a young newly qualified Chartered Accountant that was not too onerous a task for him at that time. After a short retirement in the sixties, he returned in an emergency again to take over the position of Hon. Treasurer in 1968/69 when he was co-opted to the position, which was vacant. Since then he has given almost uninterrupted service to the club as Hon. Treasurer, Vice President, President and member of management, giving close to 30 years service. He also represented the club on the F.A.I. when Bohs won the F.A.I. cup in 1970. At the time of writing the History of the club, he was almost 56 years in membership. He is pleased to acknowledge the input and assistance of the late Eamon O’Mahony, Jack Dinan, Harry Bussey and currently the assistance of former President and Captain Kevin Kerr. He also wishes to acknowledge the necessary secretarial assistance given to him by Patricia Hennerty. There was considerable tedious work and much time used up in compiling this work. However to a long time member, such as the author, it was a labour of love.

Chapter 1

From a small collection of footballers from Bells Academy, a Civil Service College in North Great Georges Street, founded in 1887, which became Richfield in 1889, came some of our founders. They joined with some students from the Hibernian Military School, to form a new club in 1890. They met at Gate Lodge in the Phoenix Park to have their first meeting in 1890. When the question of naming the new club arose, there were two proposals, “Rovers” or “Bohemians”. When a vote was taken on Mr.Whitaker’s proposal for Bohemians, a tie resulted. Mr.Dudley Hussey, a civil servant as Hon. Secretary and Dr.Frank Whitaker – yes the same man who proposed the name – as Hon. Treasurer. Having served Bohemians faithfully for some time Dr.Whitaker retired and entered the Order of St. John of God, where he became known under his new religious name as Rev. Frances de Sales.

Chapter 2

Bohemians first home ground was on the Polo Ground in the Phoenix Park. Goal posts and other equipment were kept at the gate Lodge, North Circular Road, where the players also dressed. It is recorded that visiting teams were entertained there with singsongs and light refreshments. In 1893/94 season a private ground was obtained at Jones Road – now part of the G.A.A. Headquarters at Croke Park, and Bohemians remained there until 1895, when they moved to a new home at Whitehall, Glasnevin at the start of the 1895/1896 season. The Whitehall area in those days was out of the way and without public transport. As a result the committee continued to look for a more suitable ground. They finally succeeded and found a new field in Vegetables in Phisborough. It was then know as the “Pisser Dignam’s Field”. The residents of Connaught Street, St. Peters Road, Dalymount and North Circular Road (part) must be eternally grateful to Bohemians since they officially opened the ground on 7th September 1901 and re-named it, yes, it was to be the famous “Dalymount Park” and became known not only to Dubliners, but to the foreign footballers and supporters all over the world. To soccer in Ireland it became the “Home of Irish Football” for decades to come. It was recorded that “Football without Dalymount Park would be like Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark”.

Chapter 3

When the club first found the site in Phibsborough, it was in fact almost common land with a large vegetable plot on one side. Local youths disported themselves there and resented any custodian of the rights of ownership. However, the committee enclosed the ground with corrugated surround and the pitch in the early stages was enclosed by ropes, which kept the spectators at bay. A small start, but there were progressive improvements and a very important factor was that once the ground was enclosed it became possible to obtain Gate Receipts from important games. The official opening of Dalymount Park on 7th September 1901 took place when The Lord Mayor of Dublin Mr. Tim Harrington hoisted the Red and Black flag, and then actually kicked off himself, to start the exhibition game between Bohemians and Shelbourne. The gate receipts were £40, attendance was 5,000, which was regarded as very satisfactory in those days as was the 4 – 2 win. The first man to score here was our Harold Sloan. To help in the spreading of the game the club soon brought over first class clubs from Britain. Preston North End came on 2nd November 1901 and drew a gate of £100. Seven weeks later on St. Stephens Day 1901 Glasgow Celtic appeared at Dalymount for the first time. The policy of introducing first class clubs from overseas started in 1901, but continued rapidly with teams from England, Scotland and Wales and the continent. Dalymount Park had now truly become the mecca of football in southern Ireland. The first colours of the club were white shirts with two red down stripes and a red star on the right side of the breast with black knicks. This was not the first choice but because some members found where these could be obtained at a very attractive price. The famous Red and Black colours were officially adopted in 1894, as were 3 golden rules; Never say die Keep the ball on the floor The best defence is attack

Chapter 4

When we started in 1890 football was not properly organised and it consisted mainly of friendly games. Consequently on a playing basis there was little to record until October of 1892 when the Leinster Football association was formed to co- ordinate football in Dublin, and the surrounding areas in Leinster. Bohemian representatives, A. Blayney, D.Hussey and P.J Sheehan, attended the first meeting at the Wicklow Hotel in Exchequer Street and Dudley Hussey was appointed as the Association’s first Hon. Secretary. Thus in 1992 we were over 100 years with the Leinster Football Association. It was difficult to make much progress at that time because the newspapers of that period were loathe to give publicity to Association Football. They looked down on this relatively new sport as a corruption of the then immensely popular game of Rugby. At best one could say they looked on soccer with benevolent toleration. There are times nearly a quarter of a century later when one could be tempted to ask – what has changed. At least some correspondents appear to give that attitude towards the domestic game here, while lauding anything that passes for football on the other side of the Irish Sea. The Leinster Senior Cup started in 1893, when it was won by Leinster Nomads. For the following six years in succession, a record that still stands, 1894 to 1899 it was won by Bohemians who went on to win it again on several occasions. This was a good beginning at local level, but they were ambitious and entered the Irish Cup and Irish League to try their luck at higher level.

Chapter 5

Our first attempt to win the Irish Cup was quite a controversial experience. They started in 1894 and battled their way successfully to the semi- final. They beat St. Columbs Hall Celtic in 1895, and then they received a crushing blow when beaten by Linfield 10 – 1 in the final. That is still a record score. They reached the final again in 1900 but again lost by the narrow margin on 2 – 1 to Cliftonville. The medical profession were substantially in evidence in earlier years and one line up showed no less that 9 doctors in the line up. They had a great difficulty in getting a strong team together when playing away on Saturdays in Belfast, due to business commitments of their players. One must remember that they were entirely amateur players. They reached the Irish Cup Final again in 1903 when they lost at Dalymount Park to Distillery by 3 – 1 before a crowd of 6,000 who paid record receipts of £350. In 1904/05 season Shelbourne also joined Bohemians in giving further challenge from the south. In 1906 both Bohemians and Shelbourne reached the semi-finals. Shelbourne went on to beat Belfast Celtic in the final by 2 – 0. Shelbourne thus became the first team from the south to win the I.F.A. cup. Two years later in 1908 Bohemians dream of winning this major trophy became a reality. It was a very hard road to the final, all replays, in the 2nd round they drew 2-2 in Belfast against Linfield and earned a replay at Shelbourne Park, before a crowd of 5,000, reaching the final by 2-0. This was the first time the I.F.A. final was contested by two teams from the south, Bohemians and Shelbourne. The final ended in a 1-1 draw, and again in the replay at Dalymount, Bohemians by 3-1 made no mistake taking the cup in 1908 for the first and last time.

Chapter 6

After winning the I.F.A. cup in 1908 Bohemians' reputation was established as a leading amateur club and they again appeared in the I.F.A. cup finals of 1909, losing 2-1 to Cliftonville, and in 1911 losing to Shelbourne 2-1. The Irish League at that time consisted of 8 clubs, Belfast Celtic, Cliftonville, Distillery, Derry City, Glentoran and Linfield from the North, and Bohemians and Shelbourne form Dublin. We preformed reasonably well in the Irish League but never won it. We should realise that both Cliftonville and Bohemians were the only fully amateur clubs in the Irish League at that time. Between 1911 and 1921 Bohemians also enjoyed success in the Leinster Senior Cup and Leinster League. They helped to spread the game by agreement, as far back as 1896, to play the Leinster Cup Final in Athlone against the local side and of course winning it. Other games were played in Dundalk and other provincial venues in order to help spread the seeds of soccer in these places. During all that period the club continued to make improvements to the grounds at Dalymount for the benefit of players and spectators alike. The World war was just over and the Border established, and with it came the formation in 1921 of the Football Association of Ireland and the Free State League (later to be renamed as the Football League of Ireland). Our club was now entering a new era, which prevails to the present time, under the F.A.I. and the Football League of Ireland. The team, which brought the I.F.A. Cup in 1908 to Dalymount for the first and only time was, J.C. Hehir, J.Balfe (capt), P.J. Thunder, W. Bastow, T.Healy, W.F. McElhinney, W.F. Hooper, D.Hannon, R.Hooper, H.Sloan, and J.Slemin. Alas they have all passed on to their eternal reward. They all played major parts in the history of Irish Soccer and Bohemians.

Chapter 7

Today’s “Bohemian” will probably be surprised to learn that in the period from winning the Irish Cup in 1908 up to the early thirties we were more of a sports club than a football club. At the tramway end the terraces were much smaller than most of us can remember. The reason that behind the terraces, now largely filled in, were two first class permanent tennis clubs. In the summer, and they had a separate pavilion, which also provided space for dancing and entertainment at the week- ends. There were club tennis championships, and many of the winners went on to play at higher levels at Charleville and Thorndale L.T.C. on the north side of the city. The game of croquet was also played on part of the pitch. Unfortunately when the club required to expand the ground for increasing attendances for club football and international football, it became necessary to build terraces on the two permanent tennis courts and the club concentrated on the sole promotion of football. Tennis finally ceased in the early thirties when the present stand was expanded.

Chapter 8

By 1908, big improvements had been made to the ground including the widening of the pitch, and a proper drainage course had been installed. Large wooden stands were built behind the goals, and another erected on the Connaught Street side of the ground. On the “reversed” side, another wooden stand was erected and at the top of it was a commodious press box. The ground was more than adequate for the needs of that period. When we began to control our own football affairs, following the establishment of the Irish Free State and the F.A.I., greater demands were made on the services of Dalymount Park. The management committee of that time had therefore to seek ways to continue the provision of further amenities. In February 1926, a further 150 sideline seats were installed. In these days that would be inviting more than a possibility of trouble. In 1926 the club attempted to get a loan to effect further improvements but the attempt failed. One of the first mottos was not forgotten: “never, say die”. They renewed their efforts in late 1926 and this time they were successful. The money was secured partly on the assets of the club and personal guarantees of individual members. In one of our club bars there is a large photograph of the guarantors and the individual names are appended. Consequently, in 1927 and 1928, the first major reconstruction for some years was started. The old galvanised iron boundary disappeared, to be replaced by ten foot concrete walls, which had built into them 20 stilehouses, entrance and exit gates, at a cost of £2,520. On the reserved side was built what we know as stands B.C and D. at a cost of £5,833. Other improvements carried out were provision of an iron railing along the pitch on the reserved side, and a new banking on both sides, plus a gymnasium and a kicking alley for training. Between 1925 and 1929 a total of £9,546 was spent. To give us an idea of that in to-day's terms, a new house in Connaught Street in 1929 cost £750, and now sells for £60,000. Using that as a basis, the £9,546 spent would in to-days money amount to £763,680. Obviously, £1 went a long way in those days, and our predecessors had to be considered either as brave or mad. Fortune favours the brave, and we have lived to see the benefits of their brave efforts. All the guarantors and the management committee have since passed on to their eternal reward. God Bless them all.

Chapter 9

We have recently appreciated how Dalymount Park was developed during the “twenties”, and this can easily be overlooked if we look at the playing record of the club in the same period. In September 1921, the Football League of Ireland came into existence. In the first season 1921/22 all 8 clubs came from Dublin, as there were few good country clubs at that time. The league consisted of Bohemians, Dublin United, Frankfort, Jacobs, Olympia, Shelbourne, St. James Gate and Y.M.C.A. From that list only Bohemians have participated in every season since then. Our first league game was on 17th September 1921, when we defeated Y.M.C.A. 5-0. In 1923/24 season Bohemians won The league Championship for the first time finishing 4 points ahead of runners-up Shelbourne. The Golden season of 1927/28 was to be the greatest playing season the club has ever known. The team swept the boards that season, winning every competition available to them, consisting of the League, shield and Leinster Senior cup and for good measure Club captain and goalkeeper supreme, captain Harry Cannon proudly held aloft the F.A.I. Cup, which was won for the first time when they defeated Drumcondra by 2 – 1 in the final. Total for in cup competition 19, against 3 goals. Team panel consisted of Captain H.J Cannon, P. Whelan, R. Thomas, W. Dennis, J. Bermingham, J. Robinson, C. Robinson, J.J McIllroy, P. Kavanagh, J.J. McMahon, J. White and J McCarthy. R.Parker was the coach, and the famous Charlie Harris was the trainer. A large photograph of the team, officials and committee is on view in our clubrooms. In 1929. the team took part in the ACIERIES D’ANGLEUR CUP in Belgium. That was confined to 4 clubs and Bohemians won the highest plaudits for a very fine achievement. To conclude their playing successes of the “twenties” they won the league championship in 1929/30. As a member of long standing, I can be accused of bias if I gave undue praise to our successes in this period. However, no words of mine could match an article on this from The Irish Times in that period, which I propose to let you have in full in the next chapter.

Chapter 10

As indicated in the last chapter, I give for your appreciation the exact extract of the report from The Irish Times on the 1927/28 season. Of that season’s victories The Irish Times wrote: “By sweeping the decks, so to speak, in Free State Football, Bohemians First XI have achieved a feat which is so remarkable that it deserves more than passing notice. Football history holds no parallel to this feat. For an amateur team in a prolonged and strenuous season, extending nearly nine months, to win every competition open to them – exciting tests, in which almost all their opponents were professional players – is a striking tribute to their skill and stamina. "In modern competitive football, while the professional element is almost invariably dominant, the amateur is usually outclassed, so most of the plums go to the paid player. Thus, when fortune smiles on the amateur, as in this instance, there is every reason to rejoice…. The Club’s success is in every sense in keeping with its proud record. Bohemians have kept the amateur standard aloft, just as Corinthians have done in England and Queen’s Park in Scotland. "The public support, which the club has received during the last few seasons has been reciprocated in a practical way, for the public money has gone to provide public comfort. Dalymount Park is one of the best equipped grounds in Ireland and further improvements are contemplated. What the Association code owes to Bohemian enterprise and sportsmanship would, indeed, be hard to estimate.” It is not normally my habit to throw undue praise to the media. They are well able to look after themselves. However, on this occasion I must take my hat off to The Irish Times and say, take a bow gentlemen, yes indeed, take another bow.

Chapter 11

The “thirties” was a period of great activity for the club, both on and off the field. In 1931/32 the services of an international football ground architect, Mr. Archibald Leitch , was secured. He had already designed such famous venues as Hampden Park, Ibrox, Goodison and Anfield. He drew up further plans for the improvement of Dalymount. Another section of the stand was added, now known as section and offices, and dressingroom accommodation was added. New entrances and exits were built on A.B.C and D. stands. A further amount of banking and terracing around the grounds was added with crush barriers and new stilehouses. Improvements were made to the entrances at Connaught Street and St. Peters Road. By January 1932 a further £7,426 had been spent. The officials were worried about the status of the club in relation to its increasing assets and liabilities. A special meeting of the members was held to consider this and as a result the club was converted in a Company Limited by guarantee. The Company was incorporated on 31st July 1934, and the registered name was AN CUMANN PEILE BOITHEIMEACH TEORANTA (The Bohemian Football club Ltd). There were no shareholders but under the “guarantee” agreement each member in the event of a wind-up would have to contribute up to £10.00 to the liquidator. That was a good sum in 1934. The revenue from gate receipts and subscriptions was not sufficient to let the club pay its way or for repayments of money borrowed for improvements. Sub committees (were formed) for both senior and reserve teams. A very important one was founded in 1933, known as The Ways and Means Committee, the object of which was to raise money for club purposes and develop the social side among the members. This was to be a very important committee, which warrants a separate article in itself.

Chapter 12

The Ways and Means Committee formed in 1933 was initially operating in a small way, fundraising from club sports, match programmes started in November 1938, dances, outings and train excursions. Bohemians V Sligo in November 1938 was our first club programme. In 1938 and 1940, however, they started two carnivals at Dalymount on the pitch with the customary dodgem cars, brookland car track (where you could become your own version of Nigel Mansell), chairoplanes, the ghost train, roulette, rolla penny, swinging boats, one armed bandits (then legal) and various shows. Every Saturday night there were super fireworks displays on what is now the Connaught Street side. A special team of operators came over from England to carry out this function. The skies were lit up with spectacular lights of all sizes which could be seen for miles away. There were three speciality acts. The most popular was the “Stratosphere Girl” a 19-year-old beautiful German girl, an aerial artist who performed her most dangerous act nightly at 10pm on top of a pole stated to be 120 feet high. She performed perfectly in Dalymount without any safety net. Unfortunately, we were all saddened when we heard that only a year later in her own native Germany she fell and lost her life. The other two "risky” acts were the “wall of death” performed by Cyclone Chris and Daredevil Ena. This was an enclosed performance and great value for 3 pence extra. Also in the open was another risky performance by Johnny Caross who, as well as being a somewhat good contortionist, completed his act by jumping from a stand which was quite high into a flaming tank. There were two ballrooms on the pitch, one for Irish Dancing and the other for Modern Ballroom Dancing. The resident band Herbie and the Shadows, included players who went on to be well known dance band leaders, including Johnny Butler and Herbie Phipps. Almost all the stewarding and work on the side shows was done by voluntary workers, who helped in no small way to make the carnivals a success. The carnivals left the playing surface of the ground in a serious condition and it took a lot of work each year to restore it in time for the football seasons. From the funds however it was decided to install an artesian well at a depth of 220 feet, which could yield up to 1,000 gallons of water per hour. The cost was £466. For many years thereafter, Dalymount Park’s groundsmen have been blessed with a supply of water and have not had to rely on the vagaries of our summer weather, when the grass was in need of water at short notice before each season.

Chapter 13

So far we have noted the “thirties” for ground improvements and social events and you could well think your scribe had forgotten about football. Not so. In fact the “thirties” was a reasonably good decade for the first team and they won the following trophies:The FAI cup in 1934/35. The League of Ireland twice in 1933/34 and 1935/36. The League of Ireland Shield (a one round version of the League) in 1938/39 and 1939/40. The Dublin City Cup in 1935/36. The Leinster Senior Cup in 1939/40. The most talked about achievements was the winning of the Cup in 1934/35 when the results were as follows: First Round Jan 19th 1935 Reds United 3 Bohemians 3 23rd Bohemians 4 Reds United 3 Second Round Feb 9th Bohemians 5 Waterford 2 Semi Final March 2nd Dolphin 1 Bohemians 1 Replay 6th Bohemians 2 Dolphin 1 Final April 14th Bohemians 4 Dundalk 3 J.Menton 1m, O’Neill 15m, W.Jordon 26 & 27m, McCourt 31m, F.Horlacher 35m, T.Godwin 71m It was no easy passage to the final. It included two replays on the way. However, the 22,000 people who saw the final witnessed the highest scoring final on record. Very few teams score three goals in a final and go away with little to show for it, so Dundalk fans must have fully realised it was just not their day. The timing of the goals also helped to increase the entertainment. Total goals for 19, conceded 13. The team which brought the FAI Cup to Dalymount for the second time in 1936 was: Harry Cannon, Aloysius Morris, Bill McGuire, Paddy O’Kane, Paddy Andrews, Andy Maguire, Jimmy Menton, Paddy Farrell, Pleb Ellis, Fred Horlacher and Billy Jordan. Some of this team gave many years service to the club and were honoured both at Club and International level including Harry Cannon, P.Ellis, F. Horlacher, W.McGuire, P.Andrews, P.O’Kane and W.Jordon. One year later saw the arrival of Kevin O’Flanagan, capped at 18, and in later years, when the young doctor, with what must have been the hardest shot in the game, was capable of increasing the crowds by just having his name on the team sheet. He got full International honours at both soccer and rugby, as did his brother Michael. Kevin was also a national 100 yards champion. Many a full back found out that he could travel just as fast with his boots on. In 1939 I first saw him play in an international against Poland. In the first half the Polish goalkeeper blocked a shot from him which was so hard that the goalkeeper had to be stretchered off and replaced by the deputy goalkeeper. If the deputy goalkeeper thought his big day had arrived, he was mistaken, for, in the middle of the second half, he too stopped a Kevin O’Flanagan “special” and had to be carried off, being then replaced by the goalkeeper who started in the first half. Ireland went on to win 3-2. As the war started in September 1939, it was to be the last International at Dalymount for 7 years. Other brothers who played for Bohemians in that era included Kerrs, Bertie and Kevin, who later became President of the Club in the eighties. The famous “switch” took place in the late thirties in Shelbourne Park when Kevin O’Flanagan was playing outside right and Frankie Fullen was centre forward. Bohemians were not motoring too well and Shelbourne were leading 3-1, looking odds on to win. However, inspiration brought Kevin to the centre and Frank to the wing. Frank for a change supplied the crosses, and Kevin 3 goals in about 15 minutes to give Bohemians 2 points and a 5-3 win. The “switch” was afterwards used several times with varying degrees of success. This was another happy decade for Bohemians.