Bohemians and Bob Marley may be the most surprising intersection between the League of Ireland and international fame since Bunk from The Wire declared himself a Pat's fan.
Bohs have unveiled their new, O'Neill's-manufactured away kit for 2019 this morning, and we invite you to take a scan of it, from top to bottom. It starts off plausibly enough: tidy round neck... lovely vertical stripe... somewhat gaudy sponsor's logo....and HOLY HECK THERE'S A MASSIVE EMBOSSED IMAGE OF BOB MARLEY AT THE BOTTOM.
For those unaware, Marley played a gig at Dalymount on July 6th, 1980, landing in Dublin to the ambient howls and gnashing of conservative teeth. Bohs have paid homage to Marley in the recent past, with the Gypsies Supporters Trust paying for a mural of Marley earlier this year.
They have now decided to lash Marley on the new away kit, saying that they designed it in conjunction with O'Neill's to give "a nod to Dalymount's special place in the hearts of football and music fans".
Sligo Rovers, meanwhile, reacted swiftly and superbly.
See you next season 🔴⚪️ #bitored pic.twitter.com/f118JOtq98
— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) October 23, 2018
Balls would like to see the GAA follow the example of Bohs here, and emblazon jerseys with images of acts who have played a gig at the relevant ground. So we forsee Ed Sheeran on Galway football jersey, the Beach Boys on the Roscommon top, Tom Dunne on Tipp hurling jersey, and the blank, featureless outline of Garth Brooks on the Dubs' jersey. If Dublin prefer not to be reminded of the Brooks farrago, perhaps they will settle for an image of the Pope. If this were to happen, however, Kodaline might end up on every kit in the Sigerson Cup.
To get back to the kit at hand: the reaction elsewhere to Bohs' bold decision has been....varied.
Bohemians and Bob Marley - Reaction
Bohemians are delighted to announce their 2019 gold-coloured third kit, featuring the image of every member of Spandau Ballet
— Munster Derby Facts (@munsderbyfacts) October 23, 2018
Bob sadly unavailable but maybe a couple of the Maroon 5 lads could guest for Bohs next season, like the Spandau boys for Melchester. https://t.co/Ezow4kTSEv
— Larry Ryan (@RyanLarry) October 23, 2018
Whilst many LOI fans will laugh their balls off at their Bohs kit, it will probably be top selling shirt in the LOI(due to foreign orders). If the O'Neills deal sees Bohs kits stocked in retail outlets. So kudos to them on that.
— Kevin McDaid (@mariborkev) October 23, 2018
The new Bohs jersey is EITHER:
1. The best marketing campaign ever!
2. The worse kit design EVER!— Andy McNulty (@AndyMc_25) October 23, 2018
I think that new bohs away shirt is superb
— Gearóid Galavan (@ggalavan) October 23, 2018
Pic of Bob Marley on the new Bohs jersey. Their transformation to the hipster favourites is complete.
— Karlels (@Karlels) October 23, 2018
