Fenlon rebuilds to give Bohs new hope

THERE is life in Bohemians, but not as their recently spoilt supporters would have known it.

Having staved off financial meltdown in the close season after a long-running severance row with players, the club received its Premier Division licence on Monday.

Yesterday brought another good news day as manager Pat Fenlon listed his squad for the 2011 season and spoke of a bright new dawn at Dalymount.

In a sign of the times, and just how far the economics of the domestic game have regressed, the club said they will operate with a playing budget of €250,000 for the coming season – less than 20% of what it was when they won the double just three years ago.

Only three of last year’s contracted players, captain Owen Heary (who will also coach the club’s A Championship side), goalkeeper Chris O’Connor and midfielder Glen Cronin, remain while Mark Rossiter and youngster Gary Burke have re-signed.

Experienced defender Liam Burns rejoins the club from Dundalk while Aidan Price, who was released after winning the title with Shamrock Rovers last season, has also signed.

Midfielder Robert Bayly, also from the reigning champions, and defender Ger O’Brien, once of the now defunct Sporting Fingal, also arrive.

One-time Manchester United trainee Chris Fagan will form a striking partnership with Anto Flood, who played briefly in Sweden last year after leaving Galway United.

Daniel Joyce, a former Bohemians youth defender, comes in on loan from Reading.

“We’re going to blood a fair few youngsters this year and it’s really important that we’ve got good talkers, good professionals,” said Fenlon.

“I didn’t want to fill the team with old, experienced players. I think we’ve to get a nice blend of young, enthusiastic players with experienced players around them.

“I’m happy enough, this day last week, we hadn’t got a team, we hadn’t got a squad. We have a squad to move forward.

“I was surprised a little bit because it was so late,” Fenlon added when asked how relatively easy it was to sign players. “But there were a fair few players around, the wages in the league have dropped drastically.”

Fenlon agreed the “perception” of Bohemians is not good at the moment but things have stabilised and lessons have hopefully been learned.

“Bohs will always be a big club, and the attraction of playing for Bohs will always be there,” said Fenlon, who confirmed he has also managed to maintain the ‘chemistry’ by re-employing most of his backroom staff.

Meanwhile, though Galway United have informed the FAI verbally of their intention to appeal the granting of only an A Championship licence for the 2011 season, they hope to have the necessary documentation lodged with Abbotstown by the required registered post by tomorrow at the latest.