2010–11 Greenock Morton F.C. season
| 2010–11 season | ||||
| Chairman |
 Douglas Rae | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager |
James Grady (31/10/09-9/5/10) Allan Moore (26/5/10-present) | |||
| Scottish First Division | 7th | |||
| Scottish Cup | 5th Round (lost to Inverness Caledonian Thistle) | |||
| League Cup | 2nd Round (lost to St Johnstone) | |||
| Challenge Cup | 2nd Round (lost to Ross County) | |||
| Top goalscorer |
League: Allan Jenkins (8) All: Brian Graham (11) | |||
| Highest home attendance |
League: 4,626 (v Dunfermline Athletic) Cup: 3,422 (v St Mirren (RC)) | |||
| Lowest home attendance |
League: 980 (v Stirling Albion) Cup: 1,339 (v Airdrie United) | |||
| Average home league attendance | 1,913 | |||
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Season 2010–11 saw Greenock Morton compete in their fourth consecutive season in the First Division, having defeated Ayr United on the last day of the 2009–10 season.[1]
Story of the season
May
James Grady and his assistant Allan McManus (signed for Dumbarton[2]) were sacked on 9 May, after eight months in charge.[3]
Ryan McGuffie signed a pre-contract agreement with hometown club Queen of the South.[4]
Erik Paartalu returned home to Australia to sign for Brisbane Roar.[5]
Morton release 7 other players, although they may still be re-signed by the new manager when he is appointed. Brian Graham accepted a new deal and Colin Stewart was offered new terms. The released players were Jim McAlister (signed for Hamilton Accies[6]), Steven Masterton (signed for Crawley Town[7]), Alan Reid, Dominic Shimmin (signed for Dundee[8]), Donovan Simmonds (signed for Rushden & Diamonds[9]), Kevin Finlayson (signed for Clyde[10]) and Alex Walker (signed for East Stirlingshire[11] ).[12]
Puma were announced as the new kit manufacturers for the 2010–11 season.[13]
Allan Moore was appointed as manager on 26 May, on a three-year deal.[14]
June
Morton made their first signing of the season on a pre-contract agreement, signing Marc Smyth from Airdrie United;[15] however the move was only fully completed on 29 June.[16]
Colin Stewart also signed a new contract.[15]
Kevin Kelbie signed from Northern Irish side Ballymena United.[17]
David O'Brien joined up with his ex-boss Moore on a free transfer from Stirling Albion.[18]
It was announced on 7 June that Morton would play Blyth Spartans, Gateshead and Bristol Rovers in pre-season friendlies.[19]
Graeme Holmes was signed from Dunfermline Athletic.[20]
Moore appointed Mark McNally as his assistant.[21]
Iain Russell rejected the contract extension in order to sign a two-year contract with Livingston.[22]
Moore signed ex-Queen of the South striker Stewart Kean.[23]
July
With just over a week until the competitive games begin, Morton sign defender Grant Evans on loan from Hamilton Accies.[24]
New contracts were given to youngsters Ryan Kane and Nathan Shepherd.[25]
David MacGregor was given another years contract with the club. This will coincide with his testimonial year at Morton.[26]
French trialists Fouad Bachirou and Tarik Bengelloun were signed on one-year deals.[27] It turned out however that Bengelloun required to serve a lengthy suspension for a bottle throwing incident in France, so the contract offer was rescinded.[28] Bengelloun later returned to France to sign for Racing in Paris.[29]
Stuart McCaffrey was signed on a one-year deal from St Johnstone to take the squad to 22.[30]
Ryan McWilliams was released, and signed for Second Division Ayr United.[31]
August
Morton exited both the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Challenge Cup in the second round, against St Johnstone and Ross County respectively.
In their match against Raith Rovers, Morton gave ex-Dundee fullback Eddie Malone a start as a trialist.[32]
Neil MacFarlane was released to allow room for one more player to come in to the squad.[33] MacFarlane eventually signed for Annan Athletic in the Third Division.
September
Celtic loaned local youngster Sean Fitzharris to Morton on 10 September after he scored a brace against them in a 4-0 Celtic victory at Lennoxtown training centre.[34]
Cameroonian striker Jonathan Toto signed until January, when he is expected to sign for Scottish Premier League side Hearts.[35]
Ex-Falkirk and Hibs midfielder Patrick Cregg was brought in on trial and made his début against Ross County alongside Toto, Cregg was signed by rivals St Mirren.
October
Ryan Kane and Nathan Shepherd joined Ayrshire junior side Glenafton Athletic on loan, and made their debuts in a 6-3 victory over Bellshill Athletic.
Darren Young joined the club as a trialist[36] and made his first appearance from the bench in the draw at Cowdenbeath.
Morton were drawn away to near neighbours Dumbarton,[37] the fifth cup meeting between the pair in two seasons.
November
Darren Young signed on a short-term contract until the end of 2010.[38]
December
Stewart Greacen who had been at the club since 2003 (and had a previous loan spell at Cappielow) was released.[39][40]
Jonathan Toto also left the club (signing for Etoile FC in March).[40]
After the release of Greacen freed up funds (he signed for Derry City in February 2011[41]), Darren Young was offered a new contract to the end of the season.[42] Young signed the new contract, and the loan of Grant Evans was also extended until the end of the season.[43]
January
Morton were drawn against Airdrie United in the Scottish Cup after their opponents defeated Beith 3-4 in a replay at Bellsdale Park.[44]
Sean Fitzharris was loaned again from Celtic for the remainder of the season.[45]
Derek Lyle was signed on a free transfer from Hamilton,[46] which the manager stated would be the last incoming transfer of the season.[47]
In their re-arranged Scottish Cup fourth round tie at Cappielow, Morton battled back from 0-2 down, with ten men, to salvage a draw and earn a replay at the Excelsior Stadium.[48] The replay in Airdrie finished 5-2 to Morton, allowing them to progress to the fifth round to play Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the Caledonian Stadium.
February
Morton were eliminated from the Scottish Cup, after being annihilated 5-1 by Inverness, with new boy Lyle scoring a late consolation.[49]
March
Morton youngster Declan McDaid (aged 15) became the centre of transfer speculation, and a rejected £35,000 bid from Celtic, with Aston Villa and Sunderland also scouting him.[50]
April
Derek Lyle was arrested by Strathclyde Police, as part of Operation Neptune, on suspicion of possession of controlled substances at his home in Bishopbriggs.[51] This later was confirmed to be "possession with intent to supply", a much more serious charge for which he and partner Nicola Mullen (29) were released on bail pending full committal.[52]
Morton were confirmed as safe from automatic relegation on 10 April, when Stirling Albion failed to beat Dundee; condemning themselves to play in the Second Division next season.[53]
Michael Tidser signed a new three-year contract with the club.[54]
May
Kevin McKinlay, David MacGregor, Kevin Cuthbert, Darren Young, Graeme Holmes and Stewart Kean were all told they would be released in a mass clear-out.[55]
First choice centre-back pairing Stuart McCaffrey and Marc Smyth signed new one-year deals.[56]
Derek Lyle was told he would not receive a new contract in the summer, but a new deal was tabled for Carlo Monti.[57]
Colin Stewart signed a new one-year contract.[58]
Morton finished the season in seventh place after a disappointing defeat to already relegated Stirling Albion at the Doubletree Dunblane Stadium.[59]
First team transfers
- From end of 2009–10 season, to last match of season 2010–11
In
Out
Squad (that played for first team)
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Fixtures and results
Win Draw Loss Upcoming fixture
Friendlies
| Date | Opponents | Stadium | Result F - A [60] |
Scorers | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 July 2010 | Hamilton Academical | Battery Park, Greenock | 1 - 0 [61] | Stewart Kean  |
Public Park |
| 8 July 2010 |  Nigerian Select XI |
Battery Park, Greenock | 4 - 2 [61] | Michael Tidser Ryan Kane Jamie McCluskey pen' Brian Graham |
Public Park |
| 10 July 2010 | Albion Rovers | St. Andrew's High School, Coatbridge | 2 - 2 [62] | Allan Jenkins Hardy Pinto-Moreira |
Public Park |
| 13 July 2010 |  Blyth Spartans |
Croft Park, Blyth | 0 - 0[63] | 285 | |
| 15 July 2010 | Gateshead |
Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead | 1 - 0 [64] | Allan Jenkins 44' |
? |
| 17 July 2010 | Bristol Rovers |
Cappielow Park, Greenock | 1 - 3 [65] | Peter Weatherson 82' (pen) |
1,037 |
| 20 July 2010 | Moorcroft A.F.C. Renfrewshire Cup 2009/10 semi final |
Cappielow Park, Greenock | 13 - 0 [66] | Carlo Monti pen' Kevin Kelbie Peter Weatherson pen' Graeme Holmes Michael Tidser |
? |
| 27 July 2010 | St Mirren Renfrewshire Cup 2009/10 final |
Cappielow Park, Greenock | 0 - 0 PENS: 3 - 4 [67] |
3,422 | |
| 30 August 2010 | Greenock Juniors | Cappielow Park, Greenock | 3 - 2 | ? | Closed door |
| 6 September 2010 | Dumbarton | Cappielow Park, Greenock | 1 - 4 | Tarik Bengelloun |
Closed door |
| 8 September 2010 | Celtic XI | Lennoxtown training centre, Glasgow | 0 - 4[68] | Closed door | |
| 28 September 2010 | Motherwell | Fir Park, Motherwell | 3 - 1 | ? | Closed door |
| 5 October 2010 | Airdrie United | James Y. Keanie Park, Johnstone | 3 - 2 | Brian Graham Michael Tidser |
Closed door |
| 7 October 2010 | St Mirren | James Y. Keanie Park, Johnstone | 2 - 2 | Stewart Kean Peter Weatherson |
Public Park |
| 3 November 2010 | Rangers | Murray Park, Auchenhowie | 0 - 6 | Closed door | |
| 16 November 2010 | St Mirren | Cappielow Park, Greenock | 3 - 2 | Kevin Kelbie David O'Brien Own goal |
Closed door |
| 22 November 2010 | Hamilton Academical | Cappielow Park, Greenock | 3 - 1 | Kevin Kelbie Allan Jenkins Own goal |
Closed door |
| 29 December 2010 | Rangers | Murray Park, Auchenhowie | 0 - 1 | Closed door | |
| 4 January 2011 | East Stirlingshire | Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, Motherwell | 2 - 1[69] | Brian Graham Stewart Kean |
Closed door |
| 9 February 2011 | Scotland u21 | Cappielow Park, Greenock | 3 - 4[70] | Peter Weatherson Trialist Fouad Bachirou |
Closed door |
| 3 May 2011 | Carlton YMCA Renfrewshire Cup 2010/11 semi final |
Cappielow Park, Greenock | 4 - 0 | Own Goal Stewart Kean Steven McAfee Declan McDaid |
? |
Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division
Active Nation Scottish Cup
| Date | Round | Opponents | Stadium | Result F - A[60] |
Events | Attendance | Referee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 November 2010 | Round 3 | Dumbarton | Strathclyde Homes Stadium, Dumbarton | 2 - 1 | Brian Graham 42', 49' David MacGregor  72'  79' Marc Smyth 77' |
905 | Craig Charleston |
| 18 January 2011 | Round 4 | Airdrie United | Cappielow Park, Greenock | 2 - 2 | Marc Smyth 45' 54' Brian Graham 52' Stewart Kean 64' Michael Tidser 85' Stuart McCaffrey 86' |
1,339 | Steven McLean |
| 25 January 2011 | Round 4 Replay | Airdrie United | New Broomfield, Airdrie | 5 - 2 | David O'Brien 14' Grant Evans 19' Allan Jenkins 61', 71' Brian Graham 68', 80' Kevin McKinlay 76' Carlo Monti 84' (pen.), 90' |
1,033 | Steven McLean |
| 5 February 2011 | Round 5 | Inverness Caledonian Thistle | Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness | 1 - 5 | Kevin McKinlay 40' Derek Lyle 83' |
1,893 | Craig Charleston |
League Cup
| Date | Round | Opponents | Stadium | Result F - A[60] |
Events | Attendance | Referee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 July 2010 | Round 1 | Stranraer | Stair Park, Stranraer | 7 - 1 | Stewart Kean 27' 39' 50', 54' Graeme Holmes 31' Peter Weatherson 71', 76' Kevin Kelbie 83' |
470 | Steven Nicholls |
| 24 August 2010 | Round 2 | St Johnstone | McDiarmid Park, Perth | 0 - 2 | 1,530 | Crawford Allan |
Challenge Cup
| Date | Round | Opponents | Stadium | Result F - A[60] |
Events | Attendance | Referee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 July 2010 | Round 1 | Dumbarton | Strathclyde Homes Stadium, Dumbarton | 0 - 0 PENS: 4 - 3 |
Michael Tidser 30' |
1,301 | Stephen Finnie |
| 10 August 2010 | Round 2 | Ross County | Victoria Park, Dingwall | 1 - 3 | Kevin Kelbie 16' |
865 | Collum |
Player statistics
- As of 7 May 2011
All competitions
| Position | Player | Played | Subs | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MF |  Fouad Bachirou | 17 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| MF |  Patrick Cregg (trialist) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| GK | Kevin Cuthbert | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Grant Evans (on loan from Hamilton Accies) | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| FW | Sean Fitzharris (on loan from Celtic) | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| FW | Brian Graham | 20 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 4 |
| DF | Stewart Greacen | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Graeme Holmes | 20 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| MF | Allan Jenkins | 38 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 4 |
| MF | Ryan Kane | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Stewart Kean | 26 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| FW | Kevin Kelbie | 3 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Derek Lyle | 17 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| DF | David MacGregor | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| DF | Eddie Malone (trialist) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Stuart McCaffrey | 41 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| DF | Kevin McKinlay | 30 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| MF | Carlo Monti | 20 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| MF | David O'Brien | 26 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| DF | Nathan Shepherd | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF |  Marc Smyth | 38 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| GK | Colin Stewart | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Michael Tidser | 41 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| FW |  Jonathan Toto | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | Peter Weatherson | 21 | 18 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| MF | Darren Young | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
References
- ↑ McDaid, David (1 May 2010). "Morton 2-1 Ayr United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
- ↑ "Dumbarton bring in experienced duo". Scottish Football League. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ↑ "Manager James Grady parts company with Morton". BBC Sport. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
- ↑ "Ryan off as Ton clearout begins". Greenock Telegraph. 15 May 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
- ↑ "Erik Paartalu signs for Brisbane". brisbaneroar.com.au. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
- ↑ "McAlister signs". acciesfc.co.uk. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ↑ "Crawley Town clinch Steve Masterton signing". BBC Sport. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
- ↑ "Dundee sign Morton defender Dominic Shimmin". BBC Sport. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ↑ "Rushden & Diamonds agree deal with Donovan Simmonds". BBC Sport. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ↑ "Finlayson Signs On". clydefc.co.uk. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ "Kean for Morton, Walker for Shire". BBC Sport. 30 June 2010.
- ↑ "Brian Graham signs new Ton deal". Greenock Telegraph. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ↑ Steele, Russell (21 May 2010). "First look at new Morton strips". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
- ↑ Greig, Martin (26 May 2010). "Moore confirmed as new Ton boss". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
- 1 2 Hughes, Paul (2 June 2010). "Skipper Smyth is off to Morton". London: The Scottish Sun. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
- ↑ Tait, Chris (1 July 2010). "I'm glad Al saved my Ton move". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
- ↑ Greig, Martin (2 June 2010). "New striker is going for the Kel". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
- ↑ Greig, Martin (4 June 2010). "O'Brien: Al can help me be wing king". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
- ↑ "Pre-season games". gmfc.net. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ↑ "Holmes joins new faces at Morton". BBC Sport. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
- ↑ "Mark McNally". gmfc.net. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
- ↑ "Russell becomes second summer signing". livingstonfc.co.uk. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ↑ Tait, Chris (29 June 2010). "New boy Kean to get started". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ↑ "Loan signing". gmfc.net. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- ↑ "Shepherd and Kane sign on". gmfc.net. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- ↑ "David MacGregor - New Deal Agreed". gmfc.net. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
- ↑ Greig, Martin (20 July 2010). "Tidser hails Ton signing of French duo". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
- ↑ Tait, Chris (5 August 2010). "Ton signing target in ban mystery". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
- ↑ "Les Autres Matchs" (in French). Le Parisien. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
- ↑ "Morton take Stuart McCaffrey from Saints". BBC Sport. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
- ↑ "Elgin v Ayr". BBC Sport. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ↑ Fairburn, Rob (29 August 2010). "Division One: Raith Rovers 1 Morton 0". Daily Record. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
- ↑ "Neil MacFarlane". Greenock Morton FC. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
- ↑ "Ton sign Celtic youth on loan". Greenock Telegraph. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
- ↑ "Player News". Greenock Morton FC. 24 September 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
- ↑ "Darren Young on red alert for Morton trip". Daily Record. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
- ↑ "Sunnybank face a Cup trip to Ayr". BBC Sport. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "Darren Young signs". Greenock Morton FC. 12 November 2010. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
- ↑ "Stewart Greacen". Greenock Morton FC. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
- 1 2 Tait, Chris (23 December 2010). "Boss: Time right for Stu to go". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
- ↑ "Greacen opts for security at Derry City". Press & Journal. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
- ↑ "Young offered new deal at Morton". Scottish Football League. 30 December 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
- ↑ "Darren Young and Grant Evans". Greenock Morton FC. 30 December 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
- ↑ "Beith 3-4 Airdrie United". BBC Sport. 4 January 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ↑ "Sean Fitzharris". Greenock Morton FC. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
- ↑ Steele, Russell (14 January 2011). "Morton sign up striker Lyle". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- ↑ Hanlon, Chris (18 January 2011). "Allan: No Moore signings for us". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
- ↑ "Morton 2-2 Airdrie Utd". BBC Sport. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
- ↑ Campbell, Andy (5 February 2011). "Inverness CT 5 - 1 Morton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- ↑ Tait, Chris (24 March 2011). "Ton youngster at centre of transfer fight". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ↑ Moroney, David (9 April 2011). "Ton player in drugs arrest". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ↑ "Morton ace charged with drug dealing". Evening Times. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
- ↑ "Dundee 1-1 Stirling Albion". BBC Sport. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
- ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (15 April 2011). "Tidser agrees 3-year Ton deal". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
- ↑ Tait, Chris (4 May 2011). "Six Morton players are released". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
- ↑ "McCaffrey and Smyth sign up". Greenock Morton FC. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ↑ Tait, Chris (6 May 2011). "Striker Lyle set to be released". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ↑ "Stewart signs". Greenock Morton FC. 6 May 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (9 May 2011). "Ton end on a low". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Morton scores first.
- 1 2 Greig, Martin (9 July 2010). "Ton take on a Nigerian trialist". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
- ↑ Greig, Martin (12 July 2010). "Moore: We need to tighten up". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
- ↑ "Blyth Spartans 0-0 Greenock Morton". Blyth Spartans AFC. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- ↑ "Gateshead 0-1 Greenock Morton". Gateshead FC. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- ↑ "A Win At Morton". Bristol Rovers FC. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
- ↑ Mitchell, Jonathan (21 July 2010). "Ton goal blitz delights Moore". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
- ↑ Orr, Colin (27 July 2010). "Morton 0-0 Saints (3-4 on pens)". St Mirren FC. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ↑ Henderson, Mark. "Second-string cruise to win over Morton". Celtic FC. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ↑ Tait, Chris (5 January 2011). "Stuart hopes to extend stay". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ↑ Tait, Chris (10 February 2011). "Ton lose to Scots u-21s". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
See also
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