Bohemians have taken a second go at releasing a Bob Marley-themed away jersey for the 2020 season - and this one may well be their redemption top.
Bohs were Trouble Dubs when they announced the release of a jersey with Marley’s face ahead of the 2019 season without securing the correct image rights.
The Phibsboro club unveiled a shirt they thought could be loved by football and music fans alike but wound up stirring it up with the company entrusted with licensing his image.
Fans may have had feelings of dread and as if they were waiting in vain when orders were cancelled in 2019 but the positive vibrations this time are enough to satisfy the soul.
The 2016 Leinster Senior Cup champs have collaborated with the Bob Marley family ahead of the 2022 season to produce a unique white jersey paying tribute to the Jamaican legend.
Marley’s image, along with a green, yellow and red stripe representing the colours of the Pan-African movement, will adorn next season’s slick change geansaí.
10% of the profits from the jerseys will be used to buy musical instruments and football equipment for people Direct Provision centres across Ireland.
Bohs have linked up with MASI, the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, to implement the scheme that will help marginalised people in all corners of the country.
The club are longtime supporters of the rights of asylum seekers in Ireland, regularly bringing people in Direct Provision to games at Dalymount Park.
In recent years, the club and Bang Bang, the café owned by Bohemians COO Daniel Lambert, have organised Christmas gift drives for children in Direct Provision.
“We at the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland are delighted to be part of this project with Bohemian FC,” said MASI spokesperson Lucky Khambule.
“People in the Asylum system face many difficulties and being able to enjoy sport and music can truly brighten up days for adults and children alike.”
The jersey pays tribute to the Kingston poet’s legendary concert at Dalymount Park, the home of Bohemians and Irish football, on the 6th of July 1980.
Football fanatic Marley famously intervened to ensure tickets for the gig, which also featured 2FM DJ Dave Fanning and Average White Band, eventually settled at £7 a pop.
Jerseys are available for pre-order, shipping from February 21st, and will be on sale in the club shop from February 1st. Fans are advised to get in early to avoid jamming.
“Bohemian Football Club, in collaboration with the Bob Marley family and Bravado, Universal Music Group’s leading global merchandise division, today announced the release of our 2022 away jersey.” read a club press release.
“100% fan-owned, Ireland’s oldest football club, Bohemian FC, pay tribute to Bob’s last ever outdoor concert, which took place in the club’s stadium, Dalymount Park, on July 6th, 1980.
“Bringing together two of people’s greatest loves, music and sport, the one-off jersey pays homage to ‘An Afternoon in the Park’, the famed Marley Dalymount concert, in its design.
“Featuring red, yellow and green details on the front, as well as the rear neck and sleeve trims, and an embroidered hem tag of the original concert ticket on the lower front, the exclusive shirt is available for pre-order now.”
Lambert added: “It brings me enormous joy to unveil this jersey today following years of work on the idea.
“The Marley concert at Dalymount is one of Ireland’s truly special musical events, his only ever Irish show and, sadly, his last ever outdoor one.
“His love of football is widely known to all, and that he played on our famous pitch before the concert, the same turf that some of the world’s best players have graced such as Pele, Best and Zidane, is amazing.”
