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Bohemians 1905 are very much a traditional, working man's football club. Their long, obscure history has seen multiple name changes and much turmoil within the club.
They registered as AFK Vršovice in 1905 although the organisation had existed for at least 2 years prior to this. However, there were very few national compettions between 1903 and 1911 therefore the first recorded competion was the Czech Championship in 1912.
The competition was split into four regional groups with the top teams qualifying for Semi-Final Play-offs. AFK Vršovice finished 3rd in their group failing to qualify in a competition that was eventually won by AC Sparta.
The oldest known photograph of AFK Vršovice dating from 1903
The years of the Great War saw little action from the club although the original Ďolíček Stadium was opened on the 19th August, 2014 with a match against Austrian club AFK SImmering which they lost 1-3. THe club suffered during the war with six players dying in action.
From 1918-1924 regional leagues were the main form of competition in Czechoslovakia. AFK Vršovice competed in the 'Stredoceska zupa' (Central Region) which consisted mainly of teams based in Prague. Mild success was achieved during this period with a 2nd place finish in 1920 and regular placings amongst the top 6 teams.
The original Ďolíček Stdium
The Czechoslovakian league went professional in 1925 with a National League now in place. The club competed for 3 years in this set up as AFK Vršovice finishing 3rd in a shortened league in 1927.
1927 was also the year that brought the team some worldwide attention for many years to come. Vršovice set off on a tour of Australia where they had success, winning 12 out of the 19 games. A new mascot was born during this tour thanks to a gift of two kangaroos. Ultimately these were given to Prague zoo but the marsupial has become synonomous with club and it's image has become the main badge. During this time the name 'Bohemians' was added as it was thought that Vršovice would be indecipherable for an English speaking country.
Team photo from 1906
A change of name to AFK Bohemians Praha saw the club gain some consistenency with a series of mid table finishes until 1933. A second from bottom finish in 1934 relegated them from the top league and there is very little information on the club until 1940 when they were promoted to the 'Bohemia/Moravia and Slovakia' league setup which existed during the war years.
The club achieved some repectable, mid-table finishes during this period in a league that was dominated by the larger Prague based clubs of Slavia and Sparta. The Club were known as AFK Bohemia from 1940-45. This was deemed more acceptable by the Germans but the club quickly reverted back to AFK Bohemians at the culmination of the war.
The stadium was partially damaged in the February, 1945 bombing of prague
Results: Bohemians AFK Vršovice tour to Australia
[en route]
23.04.1927 Colombo British Army XI 2-4 Bohemians
[in Australia]
05.05.1927 (Perth) Western Australia 3-11 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
07.05.1927 (Perth) Western Australia 4-6 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
11.05.1927 (Adelaide) South Australia 1-11 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
14.05.1927 (Adelaide) Australia XI 1-2 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
18.05.1927 (Melbourne) Victoria 0-1 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
21.05.1927 (Melbourne) Australia XI 1-4 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
25.05.1927 (Wagga Wagga) Southern Districts XI 0-9 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
28.05.1927 (Sydney) New South Wales 5-4 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
01.06.1927 (Woonona) South Coast XI 1-2 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
04.06.1927 (Newcastle) Northern District XI 3-4 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
06.06.1927 (Sydney) Australia 4-6 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
08.06.1927 (Cessnock) South Maitland XI 3-1 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
11.06.1927 (Brisbane) Queensland 3-2 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
15.06.1927 (Ipswich) Ipswich & West Moreton XI 3-5 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
18.06.1927 (Brisbane) Australia 5-5 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
21.06.1927 (Newcastle) Newcastle XI 5-2 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
23.06.1927 (Sydney) Metropolis XI 3-5 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
25.06.1927 (Sydney) Australia 4-4 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
02.07.1927 (Fremantle) Western Australia 2-3 Bohemians AFK Vršovice
Ďolíček after the February bombing of 1945
A Czechoslovakian National League was set up in 1945 and lasted until the separation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. Bohemians generally performed well at first and topped the league for the majority of the 1947-48 season which proved to be tightly contested. An unfortunate conclusion to the season saw them drop to 4th position with just three points seperating the top four teams.
Another name change followed and between 1948-53 they were known as Železničáři meaning 'Railwaymen'. Two successful seasons with 3rd place finishes followed before a major shock saw them finish second from bottom in 1951 relegating them from the top tier.
The rest of the decade saw the team alternate between the top two divisions. From 1953 they were known as Spartak Praha Stalingrad
The name ČKD Praha was adopted betwen 1961-65 which saw some reasonable league finishes before a return to the now traditional name of Bohemians (as Bohemians ČKD) in 1965.
An unstable period followed with the club yoyo-ing between the top two divisions until the 1973-74 season which saw the foundations of a prosperous era. A mediocre season allowed them to avoid relegation and remain in the top tier. The following season saw an outstanding upturn in fortunes as the club finished in 3rd place earning them their first entrance into Europe as UEFA cup competitiors.
History of Bohemians 1905
