BOHEMIANS BOSS KEITH Long is hoping to strengthen his squad next month with a little help from the club’s fans.
After a difficult start to the 2017 campaign, the Gypsies are up to seventh in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table thanks to Friday’s 3-1 win over bottom club St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.
Long has had to work on a shoe-string budget but Bohs are now asking members and supporters to dig deep and donate to a player fund via their website.
“It’s a novel idea,” Long said. “You look at the support on Friday and this is a great club. I’m privileged to work for it and I’m proud to be the manager of Bohs.
“It’s important that we give them something to shout about. They support us through thick and thin. We’ve been disappointing at home this year, I said that prior to the break, but we sent them home happy on Friday.
If we can affect the team in a positive manner by recruiting better players that can make the group stronger, that’s what we will try and do.”
Bohs were hit hard by injuries earlier this year but the good news is striker Ismahil Akinade has returned to full training after recovering from surgery to remove his spleen. Eoin Wearan tore his cruciate ligament in pre-season and although he’s still some way from fitness, Long added that the midfielder could be in line to make a comeback by September.
Centre forward Stephen Donnelly has signed from AUL side Usher Celtic and there have been reports that ex-Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United man Gareth McCaffrey could be joining — although Long was remaining tight-lipped.
“I don’t really want to speculate about any particular player,” he added. “Gareth McCaffrey is a free agent, he played against us for Rovers and has gone up and done well at Drogheda — scoring some goals.
“I won’t comment on any player until he is signed, delivered and over the line. The window opens in July and we’re two weeks away from that. Until that time, I don’t have anything to report.”
- Additional reporting by Harry Manning
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