Bohemian FC have teamed up with Ireland’s oldest political bookshop, Connolly Books, located in Dublin’s Temple Bar, as the exclusive retail seller of its iconic jerseys in Dublin city centre, with the collaboration set to launch with an event at 1pm this Saturday featuring music from DJ Sally Cinnamon.
The jerseys stocked at Connolly Books feature the names of bands such as Fontaines DC, Thin Lizzy, Oasis and Kneecap, and slogans including ‘Refugees are Welcome’ and ‘Better in a Trade Union’, as well as one in the colours of the Palestinian flag. They highlight important social issues and raise funds for various organisations that assist people in challenging circumstances around the world.
Connolly Books manager and Bohemian FC member, Aaron Nolan, said: “Connolly Books has long been a centre for those interested in progressive politics; it will now be a place where Bohemian’s growing Irish and international fanbase can buy their iconic jerseys.
“Connolly Books and Bohs have a relationship going back several years. The shop has a sponsorship deal with the club and an advertising hoarding in Dalymount. However, it is the shared ethos of collectivism that links our bookshop and Ireland’s biggest fan-owned football club the most.
“That some of the profit from the sales of the jerseys also goes to great causes such as supporting UNICEF and sports clubs in Palestine, or Irish Community Care Manchester, as well as supporting Bohemian FC, makes this a collaboration which was bound to happen.”
He added: “Our shop is named after the famous trade unionist and socialist thinker James Connolly who led the 1916 rising . He was, fittingly enough, a serious football fan himself and although he lived in the Dublin 7 heartland of Bohemian FC, he stayed most interested in his hometown club, Hibernian FC of Edinburgh. “I’m sure if Connolly were around now, he would be the first man through the door to buy the ‘Better in a Trade Union’ jersey.”
Bohemian FC Chief Commercial Officer, Dan Lambert, said: “Bohs has always been more than just a football club; it is now Ireland’s biggest fan-owned football club, as well as championing social issues both in Ireland and across the world.
“Our jersey sales not only bring in essential funds to enable our club operate sustainably, as we go up against other League of Ireland clubs owned by billionaires and multinational sports franchises, but also support causes that our fanbase in passionate about from Palestine, to local bands such as Aslan and St Francis Hospice. to international artists who share our ethos and values. The jerseys are a testament to the importance to many of football, music and progressive causes, and are part of Bohs’ commitment to being a force for good.”
