I expect Dalymountrower and others to excoriate the Bohs hierarchy for this link up with refugees who are clearly not from their area.
Was there no suitable local cause?
Who is the elder child as a matter of interest?
I expect Dalymountrower and others to excoriate the Bohs hierarchy for this link up with refugees who are clearly not from their area.
Was there no suitable local cause?
Jaysus, that's a poor effort, even for you.
All politics is local even if it isnt political.
The Bohs jersey project is brilliant on every level.
Daniel Lambert and the club board deserve great credit for tackling social justice issues head-on.
Do you really want to go there again.?
Kudos to your club for driving past three less media cuddly hospitals to their next photo op in Temple Street.
Only 3?? Again! does it need explaining that a player initiative on the basis of personal experience was what drove the choice. That a national childrens hospital is considered as not being 'local' enough to Dundalk shows a certain cynical and even Dublincentric view toward this fundraiser. In general its a disgrace that any HSE hospital needs the public to fundraise at all but it is what it is and considering the personal experiences of the players and the backroom team their choice was undertandable and shouldt be derided on any level.
I'd like to think that this Bohs shirt would sufficiently be humanitarian so as to spin it away from politics if an issue was ever made albeit Amnesty is certainly a politicised organisation. Bohs are doing a fine job of grabbing plenty of exposure with their jersey efforts.
Last edited by Nesta99; 13/02/2020 at 11:08 AM.
The club has done a huge amount for refugees and asylum seekers over the last few years.
Residents of local direct provision centers bought to matches for over a year, xmas party and gifts in dalymount for families in DP, gate receipts donated to refugee charities, and the refugees welcome logo used by the NBB for the clubs 125th anniversary.
But yeah, it's just a gimmick.
With my business head on i applaud Bohs for their virtue signaling , in the world we live in these days they will probably do well on jersey sales
Up to the other clubs to start mining this seam as well instead of complaining.
Last year it was Rastafarians to sell shirts , this year its refugees,
A bit of thought early next season from A.N.Other club and they can make a few bob as well.
In fairness to the Bohs Foundation, they have been working with Direct Provision groups for at least three years and have had initiatives to welcome immigrants to Dalymount for twice as long as that, including the hosting of functions for the African Nations Cup finals etc. Whether having outreach programmes for prisoners , people with disabilities etc constitutes virtue signalling is subjective enough. What is clear that all of the above has had an unforeseen impact on crowd numbers and more open doors from sponsors.
If the shirt sales, whether gimicky or heartfelt, were in isolation from the actual hard work done on the ground with the wider community ,it would fall flat.
If other clubs are going to look at the social and community responsibility stuff as a means of making a few bob, rather than becoming an integral part of that community, then that will equally flatline.
The potential is there for all clubs, but it is a long hard slog rather than a smug gimicky jersey or two.
I think there is no doubt Bohs are doing good work but the jersey thing does reek of profit making (nothing wrong with that) last year Rasta this year something else.
Rovers had a bus full of Direct provision people at every match and gave them something to eat and a drink as well as doing school visits / hospital visits anti racism initiatives etc.
All of which are playing a part in increasing attendances and season ticket sales.
Maybe they should leverage it a bit better, there is no harm in making a few bob while also doing good
Dundalk FC players likewise build up a rapport with patients and families in the locality that attended TSCH. It certainly isnt the only socially driven initiative either. If this happens to build good will in the wider community then great. Stephen Kenny and now Vinny Perth must have no personal time at all going on the amount of public engagements they get invited to and attend(ed). The amount of groups seeking DFC involvement is testament to the high regard they, the players and club are held in the 'local' community and the willingness to offer support. If there is added media attention given to a club for fundraising then great also. But taking a moral stance on whether something is a one off 'smug' gimmick rather than a coherent social conscience strategy is just a petty ****ing match - we do it better than everyone else, thats ridiculous, you have not supported other (local) organisations so it has to be to a cheap publicity stunt.... There are numerous examples but The Maria Goretti Children’s Respite Centre in Lordship, Co. Louth is also a regular recipient of support from club and players - you might pick up on a common theme and do less rolling of the eyes at the players choice of chartitable organisations to support.
There is not doubt that Bohs are leading the way on this and league wide lessons can be learned but condemning charitable efforts because it's 'media cuddly' etc is just crass!
Last edited by Nesta99; 13/02/2020 at 12:19 PM.
Bohs have been working with MASI for at least 3 years and have been communicating regularly around this and doing what can be done as a struggling football club to bring a bit of joy to the people effected by DP. In addition, we donated 10% of our profits from the redesigned Bob Marley jersey last year to fund MASI. Its not empty words or a cheap publicity stunt - it is a cause that the club is directly involved in in a meaningful way and has been for some time.
Here’s an example https://twitter.com/robohanrahan/status/1227907993582407680?s=21
Last edited by SkStu; 13/02/2020 at 12:54 PM.
I dont actually believe it is, but it could be dismissed out of hand as opportunistic also which would be wrong. In a similar way that other club's efforts have been called 'smug' and 'media cuddly! As if Bohs are not also hoping for some media kudos along with all the other positives benefits there should be with community projects. Efforts in general by club should be lauded and widely promoted as positive contributions by LoI.
I think the Bohs Jersey is lovely, but they probably should have went the same Route as Scarborough fc in 1990, best shirt sponsor ever
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