club history
It all started in Manhattan’s historic SoHo neighborhood. At 5 Sprint St. a small group of friends first played with an idea of an open pick-up game, and in those friendly conversations an idea of a club was born.
run with the black dogs
A little-known fact is that the earliest iteration of the club
was regarded as more of a joke among close friends, but it quickly gained momentum and developed into a tradition of over 20 years.
Since its earliest days, the club has stayed true to its diverse and multinational roots. Among the club’s founding members were international artists, post-collegiate players, an ex-pro, and local business owners. The on-field melting pot that makes up the very backbone of the club continues to attract players from all walks of life.
Over the years the club has witnessed the dramatic ride of New York’s soccer scene first hand. In a relatively short period of time, a number of clubs have sprouted around the city’s boroughs, and we are proud to have played an active role in that movement. We consider ourselves ambassadors of the game and The Bowery, where we will continue to play, grow, and pen our history.
our club identity
the badge
B-F-C- Bowery Football Club. The driving force behind our badge’s design was a desire to be true to and draw inspiration from the sport’s rich tradition and history. The insignia was subject to various interpretations and versions until it landed on a balance of both classic and modern aspects of the game. Tradition is a core belief of our club, and our badge is a manifestation of that belief.
B-o-u-w-e-r-i-j
The “BOUWERIJ” name dates back to when the Dutch first settled Manhattan Island. Quite appropriately named “Bouwerij road”–“Bouwerij” being the old Dutch word for "farm”– the Bowery was a road that connected Manhattan’s farmlands and estates on the city’s outskirts to the heart of its downtown, which was located where Wall Street and Battery Park City are today.
Because the club has always wanted to incorporate the Bowery’s history, the old Dutch settlement deserved to play
a prominent role in our story and name.
“Bouwerij’s” Dutch meaning was a perfect fit as it embodies what the club is today. We are an organization that connects some of the city’s top young talent with seasoned veterans from the world over. We foster growth and development while cultivating friendship and camaraderie.
The Bowery today is what we like to call our "Football Farmland".
the Black Dogs
The “Black Dog” name actually predates the formation of the club and has its origins in the Bowery itself. The very first iteration of the club came at a time when the Bowery was still a neighborhood with a reputation: a slightly dangerous part of town frequented only by those who knew their way around. Bars and clubs like CBGB and Mars Bar made sure to leave a hint of mystery lingering in the air. The graffiti-covered alleys and walls gave this pocket of Manhattan a certain raw energy that lay dormant by day but was very much alive by night.
The badge aesthetic was designed to mimic this energy. The watermarked background pays homage to the Bowery’s omnipresent graffitied backdrop. The hard and sharp contours around the black dog are intended to symbolize the
gritty and hard-edged energy that the
Bowery embodies.