Club Overview

Club History

In 1905 the unofficial club SK Kotva was registred under new name AFK Vršovice and joined the Czech football association. The colours of the club were green and white from the very beginning. Since 1909 the team has permanent paid manager.

In 1912 the big dream of all the members of club came true when the money is gathered and the land for own pitch is bought next to the Vršovice barracks. August 19, 1914 the pitch is opened and is named Ďolíček. During the WWI the club undergoes a crisis because most of the players are drafted to the army. However, in 1917 the club plays first international match and in 1918 finishes third behind Slavia and Sparta in the last Austro-Hungarian competition.

In the first years of independent Czechoslovakia AFK Vršovice is doing very well and several players are invited to play for the national team. In 1924 the professionalism is legalised and the team has 13 pros and one year later they play first match in the newly established league - 4:3 away win against SK Nusle.

In 1927 the team sails to Australia for the legendary tour, which marks the beginning of new era - the name of the club changes to AFK Bohemians, in honour to the results achieved down under. Kangaroo becomes symbol of the club and new nickname is born: klokani (kangaroos). More on the trip here.

The popularity of the club grows significantly after the Australian success and there are calls for new stadium to be built, especially after the collapse of one of the galleries during the match against Sparta. The new stadium (officialy called Dannerův stadion but for the fans always Ďolíček) is opened in 1932 and provides space for 18000 spectators.

Things work fine till 1935 when the club is relegated and returns to the top division only in 1940 although it keeps struggling in the lower parts of the table. In 1949 the name Bohemians is taken away from the club by political decision (the English origin does not correspond with the new communist doctrine) and is replaced by Železničáři (The Railwaymen).

During the 1950s the stadium comes through reconstruction and the artificial lighting is installed in 1955. In 1958 the team finally returns to the First League and plays very good football until the manager and many of the experienced players leave in 1964 and the club is relegated next season, but at least the name Bohemians is returned to the club. The club keeps moving between the two top divisions. In 1967 Antonín Panenka makes his first appereance for the club at the age of 19.

The new era is marked by the arrival of the chairman Típek and manager Musil in 1973. They start building strong team from talented youth team players and in 1977 Karol Dobiáš arrives to club while Tomáš Pospíchal is appointed new manager and since then the team takes part in European Cups on regular basis. In 1981 Panenka leaves for Rapid Vienna, Dobiáš and Valent are on their way, too.

However, the team is properly complemented and the season 1982/1983 is the most succesfull in the history of club. Bohemians make it to the semifinals of UEFA Cup and are eliminated only by the latter champions Anderlecht Bruxelles. Plus maybe even more importantly, at the end of the season Ďolíček witnesses the celebrations of the first league title.

The team does not repeat this success, finishes third next year and in the season 1984/1985 loses the title in the last match. Then the decline comes, Pospíchal leaves the club in 1987 and there is a scandal with black funds leading to the trial of several officials and players (the whole situation was caused by the unsustainable socialistic rules applied in football). Finishing fourth in 1990 is the last result worth mentioning as the club falls off. In 1995 Bohemians are relegated to the second division.

Club Rivalries

Stars of the Current Squad

Club Legends

Most Appearances

Most Goals

Player Recognition & Awards

Team Honours

Club Management

Uniforms

Stadium

Sponsors

Important Links

References