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2005–06 Port Vale F.C. season

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Port Vale
2005–06 season
OwnerValiant 2001
ChairmanBill Bratt
ManagerMartin Foyle
StadiumVale Park
Football League One13th (60 Points)
FA CupFifth Round
(knocked out by Aston Villa)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Rotherham United)
Football League TrophySecond Round
(knocked out by Hereford United)
Player of the YearGeorge Pilkington
Top goalscorerLeague: Leon Constantine, Micky Cummins (10 each)
All: Leon Constantine (12)
Highest home attendance6,793 vs. Nottingham Forest, 18 February 2006
Lowest home attendance3,452 vs. Milton Keynes Dons, 4 April 2006
Average home league attendance4,666
Biggest win3–0 vs. Huddersfield Town, 28 December 2005
Biggest defeat0–3 (twice)

The 2005–06 season was Port Vale's 94th season of football in the English Football League, and second-successive season in League One. They finished in mid-table and exited the League Cup in the First Round and the Football League Trophy in the Second Round. In the FA Cup, Vale made it to the Fourth Round, where they were knocked out 3–1 by top-flight Aston Villa. Foyle's efforts to build a promotion-winning team were boosted when Vale gained striker Leon Constantine. Still, his efforts were hindered by the sales of both Sam Collins and Billy Paynter.

Manager Martin Foyle.
Top scorer Leon Constantine.
Winger Chris Birchall had another solid season.

Overview

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League One

[edit]

The pre-season saw Martin Foyle sign Micky Bell and Hector Sam on free transfers from Bristol City and Wrexham respectively.[1][2] He also took in promising young striker Chris Cornes on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, who would impress in a Vale shirt.[3]

The season started with fourteen points from seven games to launch the club's promotion bid. After three defeats, the Vale entered a long period of inconsistent form. In September, Darrell Clarke joined on loan from Hartlepool United,[4] though he would play just the one game for the club. Gary Mulligan also arrived on loan from Sheffield United,[5] and would find greater success in Burslem.[6] The next month Foyle added to the squad by signing Michael Husbands from Walsall. In November, Sam Togwell joined on loan from Scunthorpe United in an initial six-week deal that was extended until the end of the season.[7] Another long-term loan deal was struck with Leyton Orient for big defender Clayton Fortune,[8] who would later turn down a permanent transfer to Vale Park after failing to agree on personal terms.[9] Foyle also made possibly the best signing of his spell in charge at Vale, bringing striker Leon Constantine in from Torquay United for a £20,000 fee.[10] However, Foyle lost two big players, when key defender Sam Collins and promising striker Billy Paynter were sold to Hull City for £65,000 and £150,000 respectively, the pair leaving on loan deals until the January transfer window (when they would leave permanently). Four straight defeats followed this, emphasising the sales' effect on the club's promotion bid. In January, Bell moved on to Cheltenham Town,[11] and Hector Sam joined Walsall. In came Jason Talbot on loan from Mansfield Town,[12] who joined the club permanently at the end of the season. Foyle also signed defender Mark McGregor from Blackpool,[13] and midfielder Sean Doherty from ADO Den Haag.[14] A sequence of two points in five games killed off the Vale's promotion hopes by April.

They finished in thirteenth place with sixty points, some distance from promotion and relegation. Only the four relegated teams scored fewer goals than Vale, and Constantine was the club's top-scorer with twelve goals, closely followed by Cummins with eleven.

At the end of the season nine players departed the club: Lee Matthews (Crewe Alexandra);[15] Hector Sam (Walsall);[16] Steve Rowland (Southport);[17] Tony Dinning (Stockport County); Micky Cummins (Darlington);[18] Jonny Brain (Macclesfield Town);[19] Mark Innes (Hyde United); Sean Doherty (Accrington Stanley);[20] and Craig James (Darlington).[21] Andy Porter retired to concentrate on his coaching. With Dinning's departure, George Pilkington was appointed club captain.[22] World Cup international winger Chris Birchall was also sold to Coventry City for £325,000.[23]

Finances

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On the financial side, Bill Bratt's cost-cutting measures had reduced the club's operating losses from £500,000 to £50,000.[24] Despite this, the club took out a £2.25 million loan from the local council, with monthly repayments of around £19,000.[25] Bratt continued to try and woo elderly North American millionaires, but Steve Stavro did not follow up his initial interest with any investment. In October 2005, the club turned down an investment group that wished to appoint Paul Gascoigne as manager.[26] Foyle said "We need a cup run, or an investor, to give us a kick-start because we aren't doing too badly".[27] He got his wish with an expected income of £250,000 from the Villa game.[28] In February, lifelong fan Robbie Williams bought £240,000 of the £250,000 worth of available shares in the club.[29] In April, the club announced a new record-breaking shirt sponsorship deal with BGC Gas.[30] The club also announced Bill Bratt would now be a paid chief executive.[31]

Cup competitions

[edit]

In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past Wrexham to reach a Second Round encounter with Bristol Rovers. A late equaliser from Constantine earned Vale a replay,[32] and a Chris Birchall strike gave the "Valiants" victory at the Memorial Stadium.[33] They then made it to the Fourth Round after a 2–1 win over Doncaster Rovers thanks to a brace from loanee Sam Togwell.[34] They faced a trip to Villa Park to face Premier League Aston Villa, where they were defeated 3–1 after a brace from Milan Baroš.[35] A 7,500 strong contingent of Vale fans travelled to see the game and reworked the song (Is This the Way to) Amarillo into "Show me the way to Aston Villa" to mark the occasion.[36]

In the League Cup, Vale were knocked out 3–1 by Rotherham United at the Don Valley Stadium, with Hector Sam breaking his leg during the game.

In the Football League Trophy, Vale received a bye in the First Round, but in the Second Round were embarrassed to lose 2–1 to Conference club Hereford United at Edgar Street, after a Tamika Mkandawire header in extra time.[37]

League table

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Main article: 2005–06 Football League

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
11 Bradford City 46 14 19 13 51 49 +2 61
12 Scunthorpe United 46 15 15 16 68 73 −5 60
13 Port Vale 46 16 12 18 49 54 −5 60
14 Gillingham 46 16 12 18 50 64 −14 60
15 Yeovil Town 46 15 11 20 54 62 −8 56
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored

Results

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Port Vale's score comes first

Football League One

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Results by matchday

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Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAAHAAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHA
ResultWDWLWDWLLLDWWLWLLDWLLLLWLDDWLWWDLWLDLDLWWDDLWD
Position642745378121055658121181114161714141616121413991111111214151515111413151313
Source: Statto[38]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
6 August 2005 Southend United A 2–1 6,543 Lowndes (2)
9 August 2005 Gillingham H 0–0 4,931
15 August 2005 Brentford H 1–0 4,275 Cummins
20 August 2005 Bristol City A 2–4 11,120 Lowndes, Bell
27 August 2005 Doncaster Rovers H 2–0 4,993 Lowndes, Dinning
29 August 2005 Milton Keynes Dons A 0–0 4,592
3 September 2005 Rotherham United H 2–0 4,528 Lowndes, Paynter
10 September 2005 Scunthorpe United A 0–2 5,694
17 September 2005 Colchester United H 0–1 5,166
24 September 2005 Yeovil Town A 0–1 5,901
28 September 2005 Oldham Athletic H 2–2 3,796 Cornes (2)
1 October 2005 Walsall H 3–2 5,314 Birchall, Mulligan, Cornes
8 October 2005 Swindon Town A 2–1 4,531 Bell, Cornes
15 October 2005 Bradford City H 0–1 4,892
22 October 2005 Bournemouth A 2–1 6,320 Cummins, Paynter
29 October 2005 Hartlepool United H 1–2 4,550 Cummins
12 November 2005 Chesterfield A 0–2 4,714
19 November 2005 Swindon Town H 1–1 4,108 Husbands
26 November 2005 Southend United H 2–1 3,961 Constantine, Husbands
6 December 2005 Nottingham Forest A 0–1 17,696
10 December 2005 Gillingham A 0–3 6,210
17 December 2005 Bristol City H 0–1 4,214
26 December 2005 Blackpool H 1–2 5,666 Fortune
28 December 2005 Huddersfield Town A 3–0 10,824 Constantine (2), Dinning (pen)
31 December 2005 Tranmere Rovers H 0–2 4,489
2 January 2006 Swansea City A 0–0 14,747
10 January 2006 Rotherham United A 1–1 3,883 Husbands
14 January 2006 Barnsley H 3–2 4,468 Sonner, Constantine, Togwell
21 January 2006 Colchester United A 1–2 4,316 Husbands (pen)
4 February 2006 Oldham Athletic A 1–0 5,555 Constantine
11 February 2006 Yeovil Town H 1–0 4,732 Constantine
14 February 2006 Barnsley A 1–1 7,709 Cummins
18 February 2006 Nottingham Forest H 0–2 6,793
25 February 2006 Brentford A 1–0 7,542 Smith
28 February 2006 Scunthorpe United H 1–2 3,984 Cummins
11 March 2006 Doncaster Rovers A 1–1 5,511 Constantine
18 March 2006 Blackpool A 0–1 5,494
25 March 2006 Huddersfield Town H 1–1 5,664 Cummins
31 March 2006 Tranmere Rovers A 0–3 6,926
4 April 2006 Milton Keynes Dons H 3–1 3,452 Constantine (2 [1 pen]), Cummins
8 April 2006 Swansea City H 3–2 4,850 Togwell, Cummins, Constantine
15 April 2006 Walsall A 1–1 4,876 Fortune
17 April 2006 Bournemouth H 0–0 4,006
22 April 2006 Bradford City A 0–1 7,139
29 April 2006 Chesterfield H 3–1 4,478 Pilkington (2), Cummins
6 May 2006 Hartlepool United A 1–1 6,895 Cummins

FA Cup

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Main article: 2005–06 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 4 November 2005 Wrexham H 2–1 5,046 Husbands, Constantine
R2 2 December 2005 Bristol Rovers H 1–1 4,483 Constantine
R2 Replay 13 December 2005 Bristol Rovers A 1–0 5,623 Birchall
R3 6 January 2006 Doncaster Rovers H 2–1 4,923 Togwell (2)
R4 28 January 2006 Aston Villa A 1–3 30,434 Lowndes

League Cup

[edit]
Main article: 2005–06 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 23 August 2005 Rotherham United A 1–3 2,809 Cummins

Football League Trophy

[edit]
Main article: 2005–06 Football League Trophy
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R2 22 November 2005 Hereford United A 1–2 1,355 Smith

Player statistics

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Appearances and goals

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Pos. # Name League One FA Cup League Cup Football League Trophy Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK 1 England Mark Goodlad 46 0 5 0 1 0 0 0 52 0
DF 2 England George Pilkington 46 2 5 0 1 0 1 0 53 2
DF 3 England Craig James 35 0 5 0 1 0 1 0 42 0
MF 4 England Danny Sonner 29 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 33 1
DF 5 England Michael Walsh 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
DF 6 England Clayton Fortune 25 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 29 2
FW 7 England Lee Matthews 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
MF 8 Republic of Ireland Micky Cummins 39 10 2 0 1 1 0 0 42 11
FW 9 England Nathan Lowndes 35 5 4 1 1 0 1 0 41 6
MF 10 England Sean Doherty 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
MF 11 England Jeff Smith 27 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 30 2
MF 12 England Tony Dinning 35 2 4 0 1 0 1 0 41 2
MF 14 England Robin Hulbert 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF 15 Nigeria George Abbey 20 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 22 0
DF 16 Wales Steve Rowland 18 0 4 0 1 0 1 0 24 0
MF 17 Trinidad and Tobago Chris Birchall 31 1 3 1 1 0 0 0 35 2
DF 18 Scotland Mark Innes 23 0 5 0 0 0 1 0 29 0
DF 20 England Jason Talbot 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
MF 21 England Joe Cardle 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 0
MF 22 England Daniel Holmes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW 23 Trinidad and Tobago Hector Sam 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5 0
GK 24 England Jonny Brain 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
MF 26 England Andy Porter 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
DF 27 England Mark McGregor 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
DF 28 England Luke Prosser 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW 30 Saint Lucia Michael Husbands 24 4 5 1 0 0 1 0 30 5
FW 33 England Leon Constantine 30 10 5 2 0 0 0 0 35 12
DF 34 England Sam Togwell 27 2 2 2 0 0 1 0 30 4
MF 35 England Louis Briscoe 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
MF 36 England Christian Smith 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GK England Joe Anyon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Players that left the club mid-season:
DF 6 England Sam Collins 15 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 16 0
FW 10 England Billy Paynter 16 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 17 2
FW 19 Republic of Ireland Gary Mulligan 10 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 12 1
DF 20 England Micky Bell 15 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 18 2
FW 27 England Chris Cornes 10 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 11 4
MF 29 England Darrell Clarke 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Top scorers

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Place Position Nation Number Name League One FA Cup League Cup Football League Trophy Total
1 FW  England 33 Leon Constantine 10 2 0 0 12
2 MF  Ireland 8 Micky Cummins 10 0 1 0 11
3 FW  England 9 Nathan Lowndes 5 1 0 0 6
4 FW  Saint Lucia 30 Michael Husbands 4 1 0 0 5
5 FW  England 27 Chris Cornes 4 0 0 0 4
– DF  England 34 Sam Togwell 2 2 0 0 4
7 DF  England 2 George Pilkington 2 0 0 0 2
– FW  England 10 Billy Paynter 2 0 0 0 2
– MF  England 12 Tony Dinning 2 0 0 0 2
– MF  Trinidad 17 Chris Birchall 1 1 0 0 2
– MF  England 11 Jeff Smith 1 0 0 1 2
– DF  England 20 Micky Bell 2 0 0 0 2
– DF  England 6 Clayton Fortune 2 0 0 0 2
14 MF  England 4 Danny Sonner 1 0 0 0 1
– FW  Ireland 19 Gary Mulligan 1 0 0 0 1
TOTALS 49 7 1 1 58

Transfers

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Transfers in

[edit]
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 2005 MF England Tony Dinning Bristol City Free transfer [39]
June 2005 FW Trinidad and Tobago Hector Sam Wrexham Free transfer [39]
June 2005 MF Northern Ireland Danny Sonner Peterborough United Free transfer [39]
July 2005 DF England Micky Bell Bristol City Free transfer [39]
October 2005 FW Saint Lucia Michael Husbands Walsall Free transfer [39]
January 2006 FW England Leon Constantine Torquay United £20,000 [39]
January 2006 MF England Sean Doherty Netherlands ADO Den Haag Free transfer [39]
January 2006 DF England Mark McGregor Blackpool Free transfer [39]

Transfers out

[edit]
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
January 2006 DF England Micky Bell Cheltenham Town Mutual agreement [39]
January 2006 DF England Sam Collins Hull City £65,000 [39]
January 2006 FW England Billy Paynter Hull City £150,000 [39]
May 2006 MF Republic of Ireland Micky Cummins Darlington Free transfer [39]
May 2006 MF England Tony Dinning Stockport County Free transfer [39]
May 2006 MF England Sean Doherty Accrington Stanley Free transfer [39]
May 2006 DF Scotland Mark Innes Hyde United Free transfer [39]
June 2006 GK England Jonny Brain Macclesfield Town Free transfer [39]
July 2006 FW Trinidad and Tobago Hector Sam Walsall Free transfer [39]
August 2006 MF Trinidad and Tobago Chris Birchall Coventry City £300,000 [39]
August 2006 DF England Craig James Darlington Free transfer [39]
August 2006 FW England Lee Matthews Crewe Alexandra Free transfer [39]
August 2006 DF Wales Steve Rowland Southport Free transfer [39]
Summer 2006 MF England Andy Porter Alsager Town Retired [39]

Loans in

[edit]
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
29 August 2005 FW England Chris Cornes Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 December 2005 [39]
28 September 2005 MF England Darrell Clarke Hartlepool United 28 October 2005 [39]
22 September 2005 FW Republic of Ireland Gary Mulligan Sheffield United 22 December 2005 [39]
4 November 2005 FW England Leon Constantine Torquay United 1 January 2006 [39]
9 November 2005 DF England Clayton Fortune Bristol City End of season [39]
10 November 2005 MF England Sam Togwell Crystal Palace End of season [39]
31 January 2006 DF England Jason Talbot Mansfield Town End of season [39]

Loans out

[edit]
Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
4 November 2005 DF England Sam Collins Hull City 2 January 2006 [39]
17 November 2005 FW England Billy Paynter Hull City 1 January 2006 [39]

References

[edit]
Specific
  1. ^ "BELL BECOMES A VALIANT". bcfc.co.uk. 18 July 2005. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  2. ^ "Striker Sam makes switch to Vale". BBC Sport. 29 June 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  3. ^ "MK Dons 0-0 Port Vale". Soccerbase. 29 August 2005. Retrieved 14 January 2009.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Vale sign Pools midfielder Clarke". BBC Sport. 27 September 2005. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
  5. ^ "Vale nab Blades striker on loan". BBC Sport. 22 September 2005. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  6. ^ "Mulligan gets Vale loan extension". BBC Sport. 24 October 2005. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  7. ^ "Foyle extends Togwell loan deal". BBC Sport. 25 January 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  8. ^ "Fortune joins Vale in loan switch". BBC Sport. 9 November 2005. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  9. ^ "Fortune rejects Port Vale offer". BBC Sport. 26 April 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  10. ^ "Constantine leaves Gulls for Vale". BBC Sport. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  11. ^ Henderson, Jamie (20 January 2006). "Mickey Bell signs for Cheltenham". cheltenhamtown-mad.co.uk. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  12. ^ "Port Vale recruit Stags full-back". BBC Sport. 31 January 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  13. ^ "McGregor set for Port Vale switch". BBC Sport. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  14. ^ "Foyle happy with Doherty capture". BBC Sport. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
  15. ^ "Striker Matthews signs for Crewe". BBC Sport. 31 August 2006. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  16. ^ "Walsall sign ex-Vale striker Sam". BBC Sport. 21 July 2006. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  17. ^ "Caersws swoop for ex-Port Vale defender". welsh-premier.com. 28 January 2010. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  18. ^ "Quakers complete double signing". BBC Sport. 27 May 2006. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
  19. ^ "Horton secures capture of Brain". BBC Sport. 14 June 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
  20. ^ "Accrington get Doherty on board". BBC Sport. 19 May 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
  21. ^ "Port Vale release defender James". BBC Sport. 10 May 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  22. ^ "Pilkington is handed Vale armband". BBC Sport. 26 May 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  23. ^ "Coventry bring in Vale's Birchall". BBC Sport. 5 August 2006. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  24. ^ "Club's operating loss goes down". BBC News. 18 November 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  25. ^ "Port Vale late with repayments of £2.25m council loan". BBC Sport. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  26. ^ "Vale reject 'Gazza' takeover bid". BBC Sport. 19 October 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  27. ^ Fletcher, Paul (11 October 2005). "Valiants cashing in on cutbacks". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  28. ^ "Vale see cash bonus in Cup match". BBC Sport. 9 January 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  29. ^ "Robbie buys into Vale", BBC Stoke & Staffordshire, 27 February 2006
  30. ^ "Vale secure record sponsor deal". BBC Sport. 4 April 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  31. ^ "Port Vale make Bratt appointment". BBC Sport. 24 May 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  32. ^ "Port Vale 1-1 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 2 December 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  33. ^ "Bristol Rovers 0-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 13 December 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  34. ^ "Port Vale 2-1 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  35. ^ "Aston Villa 3-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 28 January 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  36. ^ Baggaley, Mike (28 January 2024). "Condemnation as referee is chased from pitch in Port Vale defeat". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Hereford 2-1 Port Vale (aet)". BBC Sport. 21 November 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  38. ^ Port Vale 2005–2006 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "Port Vale FC Club Details | Transfers | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
General
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