Bohemian FC tonight pays tribute to the club’s Honorary Secretary Stephen Lambert, who is stepping down after 15 years’ voluntary service.
Club President Matt Devaney said: “In the past number of weeks, we have said our goodbyes to people who have made exceptional contributions to our club, namely our long-serving captain, Keith Buckley, our former vice-captain, Rob Cornwall, and the much-loved No 1, James Talbot.
“Seeing such Bohs stalwarts move on represents something of an end of an era, one that finished with them playing their part in seeing the club qualify for Europe for the first time in five years.
“But beyond those lucky enough to take to the pitch to represent us every week, there are certain people behind the scenes who have contributed enormously, from initially ensuring we still have a club to support, and then to driving the growth of the club we have seen over the past decade.
“Bohemian Football Club is unique in many ways: For 135 years we have operated under the same fan-owned, member-run model, meaning all of us are indebted to volunteers who came in the generations before us for keeping the show on the road.
“And in Stephen Lambert, I feel the current generation of Bohs fans and members have had one of the best of them.
“As members who attended the AGM earlier this month will know, Stephen is stepping aside after giving 15 unbroken years’ service to our club as Honorary Secretary.
“To volunteer for such a demanding role for that length of time is an incredible personal sacrifice for any person, but even more so in the context of the enormous challenges we have faced during that time, in particular during the first five years of Stephen’s tenure.
“In 2011, with the club’s debts heading north of €6.5m, our club’s future was bleak, its very existence in jeopardy, and we were only ever a few weeks away from the threat of a winding-up order and losing Dalymount Park as our home.
“Understandably, there weren’t many people knocking on the door looking to join the board.
“But Stephen stepped up to the plate. As we worked through each of those challenges and debts one by one, his excellent negotiation skills were critical to the survival of the club in our dealings with creditors and other stakeholders.
“He was a voice of reason during some of our most difficult days. But he wasn’t just a firefighter either, his brilliant business acumen directly contributed to the growth of our commercial and community partners across all facets of the club.
“In Keith Buckley’s message to fans last week, he said: “Bohs been on a journey since I made my debut in 2011. A lot of people behind the scenes have given everything of themselves to save the club, save Dalymount, and to get the club to where it is today during that time.”
“Similarly, James Talbot acknowledged “the people behind the scenes who do so much work and go above and beyond for every player involved, both past and present.”
“Stephen falls under both of those brackets. As well as helping to save the club and driving its growth, in the era of part-time backroom teams and pre-Directors of Football, Stephen also played a hands-on role in supporting our managers and players.
“Never afraid to get stuck in, whatever needed to be done, Stephen was always there.
“Hugely personable, he fostered great relationships with staff, players, fellow board members and external stakeholders such as FAI and other club officials. All of which were integral to laying the foundations for where we are today and for where we want to be in the future.
“So, just as Bucko, Rob and JT move on with their heads held high having qualified for Europe, Stephen does so too having played his part in ensuring that we can look forward to a new era of opportunity for our club, in particular the redevelopment of Dalymount Park.
“When the 2026 season kicks off in February, it will be the first time since 2010 that Stephen Lambert will take his seat in the Jodi Stand as a regular member, so I hope our supporters will join me then in taking the time then to thank him for his service to our club.”
22 July 2021; Bohemians COO Daniel Lambert, left, and Stephen Lambert, Bohemians Secretary, hang up a banner before the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round first leg match between F91 Dudelange and Bohemians at Stade Jos Nosbaum in Dudelange, Luxembourg. Photo by Gerry Schmit/Sportsfile