When several rescue attempts by various investors failed lately, Bohemians fans stepped in with a plan to save their beloved club. February gave birth to an initiative called SOS Klokan (SOS Kangaroo) whose goal was to unite fans and find out a potential for fans involvement. The response was tremendous. Based on the information received from fans, founders of SOS Klokan decided to establish a new organization representing Bohemians fans - Družstvo Fanoušků Bohemians (DFB) - translated into English: The Co-operative of Bohemians Supporters. The main goal of this organization is to allow the club to continue its existence without interruption and help potential investors with the club’s preparations for the next season in the third league.
Why was the form of co-operative chosen? Simply put, it is the most tax efficient form in the current tax regime in the Czech Republic.
The co-operative aims to take over Bohemians Football Club, either alone or through a company in which it will have an ownership stake. To meet this goal, the co-op or the company must sign a purchase agreement with a bankruptcy trustee. This agreement would allow the transfer of rights to play competitive football for all current Bohemians teams and transfer of all players’ registrations, including those from youth teams. Furthermore, it is necessary to get an approval for this transfer from the executive committee of the Czech Football Association (ČMFS). Another challenge for the co-op will be to settle debts with so called “football subjects”, in other words players, coaches and managers who registered their claims with ČMFS (please see also an article about Jan Rajnoch, former Bohemians player who is willing to forfeit his substantial claim against Bohemians). And last, but not least, a fine imposed by ČMFS (3 million Czech crowns), for having its second league professional license revoked, will have to be resolved. All steps listed above must be completed by the deadline for registrations for the next football season so that Bohemians senior team can start the next season in the ČFL (the third Czech football league). At the same time, a new team capable of playing respectably in the ČFL will have to be put together. Not a small task.
As soon as this is all accomplished, negotiations will have to start with an umbrella sport organization TJ Bohemians Praha in regards to the rights to use Bohemians trademarks (name and logo). The co-operative will also attempt to play home matches on its traditional home pitch at Ďolíček. Luckily, there is no time limit for achieving these tasks.
The co-operative is planning to raise the necessary financial means for reaching its goals by collecting membership fees from its members. Membership is not restricted by nationality; the same rules apply to everybody. Both individuals and corporations can become members. Basic membership fee is CZK 1000 (approximately $45 or €35 or ₤25). There is an option to pay only CZK 100 and the rest in installments within one year. However, we recommend to pay the membership fee in full to reduce bank transfer fees. CZK 1000 is the minimum membership fee; there is no upper limit for additional contributions. Please see also our Co-op Application Form.
Even if the whole project fails, members won’t lose their money. As every member is identified by a unique ID, the co-operative would be able to return money to each member. It is estimated that after subtracting bank transfer fees, 99% of all the money would be returned. Please note that members of the co-op provide all the work free of charge, there are no paid employees.
So far, our appeal has met with an overwhelming support not only from Bohemians fans, but from people of all walks of life. This is a unique action that has never been tried in the Czech Republic before. Our hope is that we can show all doubting Thomases that it can be done. We encourage all those, who are not indifferent to the fate of one of the most revered football clubs in the Czech Republic, to participate in the rescue of Bohemians Praha. After all, we are not doing it only for ourselves but also for future generations. It would be a shame if a club with 100 years of colourful history would disappear forever.
