iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I'm very reluctant to comment negatively about Iwaki's performances, when seven starters have been poached in 12 months and several key players are out injured. But the drop-off in quality once a few people are out is deeply concerning. Absolutely stinking. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIOX...

youtube.com

【HIGHLIGHTS】北海道コンサドーレ札幌 vs いわきFC | 2026/27明治安田Ｊ２リーグ第9節

YouTube video by いわきFC / IWAKI FC

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

In 2014, I visited Iwaki to learn how the triple disaster was affecting fisheries. There was no pro football team in the town then. I did not expect 12 years later to be spending as much time thinking about Iwaki's 3-5-2 as about radiocaesium or energy transitions. #いわきFC

The old fisheries research station in Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan.

Shioyazaki lighthouse, on top of a cliff in Iwaki, Japan.

A team of scientists dissecting fish in Iwaki, Fukushima in 2014.

Onahama habour at dusk in 2014. The sea is flat and calm.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

It's time! Looking forward to this season with Iwaki FC!

A miniature of whisky from the Ardnamurchan Distillery in Argyll in Scotland; and a miniature of 963 whisky from Koriyama in Fukushima, Japan. They are resting on two Iwaki FC football shirts.

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J-Talk: Extra Time @jtalket.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

This episode also includes a quick preview of the opening weekend of J2 fixtures! Also, big thanks to regional correspondents Tom (Sapporo) & @jobanmono2711.bsky.social (Iwaki) for sharing their thoughts ahead of the big kick-off! #JLeague

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J-Talk: Extra Time @jtalket.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Thanks to special guest contributors Tom (Sapporo) & @jobanmono2711.bsky.social (Iwaki), who have recorded segments previewing their clubs for us! #JLeague

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Three recent arrivals: -Avispa Fukuoka 1996 (very happy to have found one, but cannot be worn as it looks like a Dunfermline top); -Avispa Fukuoka 2007, with Hokuto Nakamura nameset and (very faded) signature on rear; -Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2007, with Hisato Sato nameset.

A white/silver Avispa Fukuoka football shirt, with dark blue and green vertical stripes and red text reading 'Avispa Fukuoka'

A navy blue Avispa Fukuoka football shirt, with grey and silver trim and sponsor text reading 'Georgia'.

A purple Sanfrecce Hiroshima Football shirt, with the number 11 on the front and sponsor text reading 'Deodeo'

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

You've seen the league tables of English and Scottish clubs and the nearest Greggs to their stadium. Now here's what you really need to know: J.League clubs ranked by walking distance from their home ground to the nearest Seicomart.

Club Ground Nearest Seicomart Seicomart Distance (km)
1= Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo Daiwa House Premist Dome Seicomart Takashima 650m
1= Mito Hollyhock K's Denki Stadium Mito Seicomart Odo 650m
3 Kashima Antlers Mercari Stadium Seicomart Kashima Koyama 2.5km
4 RB Omiya Ardija Nack5 Stadum Omiya Seicomart Saitama Komba 4.0km
5 Urawa Red Diamonds Saitama Stadium 2002 Seicomart Soka Marue 11.6km
6 Kashiwa Reysol Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium Seicomart Hashimoto 13.8km

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Also forgot to update on this: managed to get to the game! Saw Red Eagles Hokkaido run out 3-0 winners over HL Anyang in Tomakomai a few weeks back now. A big crowd in attendance, reflecting Tomakomai's love of ice hockey.

Red Oji Eagles ice hockey jerseys hanging from the roof of a small museum room.

An ice hockey team in red - Red Eagles Hokkaido - celebrate with a team photo on the ice after a victory.

Food trucks lined up outside an ice rink in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

A good day at Hampden yesterday for Scotland vs Japan!

A man in a blue, white and red patterened Japan football shirt, holding a blue Japan football scarf.

A small woman stands facing the playing surface in a football stadium. The reverse of her football uniform reads 'Nakamura 10'

The Japan men's national football team applaud in the direction of the Japan support at full time.

Two Japan football shirts hanging - a 2006 and a 1994. Both are blue with white patterns and text.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Trying to buy ice hockey tickets in advance for Japan from overseas is an absolute riddy. In fact, it's impossible if you don't have a Japanese number. Granted, it's a much more niche market than the J.League 😅

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Great to contribute to @jtalket.bsky.social, with a review of Iwaki FC's 2025 season and a look to the half-season 'chaos league': ☘️ Which Iwaki player is best described as a 'big handsome Japanese Jon Walters'? 🧤 Whit's the goalie daein'? 🔧 Tamura's reward is having his squad dismantled - again!

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J-Talk: Extra Time @jtalket.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

NEW POD RELEASE (PATREON) Happy New Year everyone! Part 1 of the big JTET J2 Season Review is now online for @jtalkpod.bsky.social Patrons (free feed at 18:00 JST today, Monday 5th January). We cover 10 teams in this episode, with help from some special guests!

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Delighted to read Yuzo Tamura has signed a contract extension as manager of Iwaki FC through to 2027! A brilliant coach that has Iwaki playing fast, expansive and exciting football with one of the youngest squads in J2. Let's hope we can build a strong squad around him. iwakifc.com/2025/12/01/c...

iwakifc.com

田村雄三監督契約更新のお知らせ - いわきFC Official Site

このたび、いわきFCは、田村雄三監督との契約を更新し、2026/27シーズンまでトップチームの指揮を執ることが

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Getting the Raith Rovers UEFA Cup tops lined up - 30 years on. Home and away tops, plus the three teams we played: Gøtu Ítróttarfelag, Akranes, and FC Bayern.

Five football shirts hanging from a wooden shelf. From left to right they are Raith Rovers blue, Raith Rovers white, Gotu Itrotterfelag yellow, Akranes yellow, and FC Bayern blue and red.

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Tariq Panja @tariqpanja.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

FIFA were crowing about how Club World Cup was the most "merit-based" competition in the world. The World Cup? Not so much when it comes to Asia. Qatar and Saudi given home advantage for two mini group playoffs. Now Qatar maximise this by playing crunch UAE game in tiny stadium to limit away fans

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Earlier this week - all my ‘Crociati’ Parma tops together for the last time before one heads off to a new owner! One of these shirts is not like the others 🧐 #Parma ⚪️⚫️ 🟡🔵

A line of eight Parma white shirts with black crosses, from different seasons.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Iwaki conceding in 2025 from opposition attackers cutting in from the left: a gallery

A gallery of very similar goals, where the attacker cuts in from the left and creates a goal

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

On Twitter, @kitnerduk.bsky.social has initiated #CancerHasNoColours. I'll do it on BlueSky as that's where I post these days. 8 days, 8 themes. Wear/share your best football shirt that fits the theme, spread the word and donate to Bradley Lowery Foundation: www.justgiving.com/campaigns/ch...

Text says:

CANCER HAS NO COLOURS
Day: Date
Theme
Day 1: Monday 7th July
A country you love
Day 2: Tuesday 8th July
A favourite player
Day 3: Wednesday 9th July
Your most obscure shirt
Day 4: Thursday 10th July
Your most colourful/jazzy shirt
Day 5: Friday 11th July
A city you love
Day 6: Saturday 12th July
Your oldest shirt
Day 7: Sunday 13th July
Your favourite nameset
Day 8: Monday 14th July
Reminds you of a loved one
Take part and donate to BLF

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Iwaki FC don't score many from open play, but when we do they are almost inevitably screamers. Nelson Ishiwatari is some talent, and came up with the goods again today from outside the box to beat Omiya Ardija 2-1. Kaina Tanimura's last game before moving on to - seemingly - Yokohama F Marinos.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Kaina Tanimura confirmed as leaving Iwaki FC. Less than 24 hours after the news that captain and centre-back Ryo Endo will be out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Big fight for Iwaki to stay in J2 now.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Hunting for old Japanese shirts online is absolutely bloody exhausting. For every genuine one, you have to wade through fifty of these god-awful fakes 😑

Screenshot of Japanese football shirts on an online site. All of them are counterfeits or so-called 'concept shirts'.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

I occasionally get a notification of a spike in traffic to this article, and am so chuffed to see this has found its way into videogame folklore. Even see folk on Facebook and Reddit talking in hushed tones about 'the original Master League team being Alfa Romeo employees' without linking to this 😅

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Was updating my personal blog, and remembered the time ten years ago when I discovered that the Master League players in the original Pro Evolution Soccer were all mysteriously named after figures from Alfa Romeo's history. That was some rabbithole: thezerocar.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/a...

thezerocar.wordpress.com

Alfa Ronaldo: the curious case of the football game laced with obscure Italian car references

This post has been updated June 2025, with an additional player identified thanks to the Enzo Ferrari biopic! “I know, I will give these fake footballers names corresponding to key figures in…

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Hit the jackpot in a charity shop in Vienna last week. Picked this up knowing nothing about it because it looked funky. Did a bit of research back home, and learned it's a match-issue Venezia goalkeeper top from the 1992-93 Serie B season, issued to substitute keeper Roberto Menghini (not pictured)!

A brightly patterned goalkeeper uniform with large pads from the early 1990s. The sponsor reads 'Giocheria'.

The black rear of a goalkeeper uniform from Venezia, from the 1992-93 season. The number 12 is printed in white block letters.

Copy of a Venezia team roster from the 1992-93 season. The goalkeeper in the photograph is wearing the same uniform as in the previous images.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Iwaki FC: POSITIVES ✅ Six games unbeaten ✅ Naoki Kumata on the goal trail ✅ Another game where we scored NEGATIVES ❌ One clean sheet in fifteen (15) league games ❌ Another game not scoring from open play #IwakiFC #いわきFC

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J-Talk: Extra Time @jtalket.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

NEW POD RELEASE (GENERAL) ICYMI, a new JTET episode is now live on the free @jtalkpod.bsky.social PodBean feed! This show features a full report on J2 Round 11 from James, while Jon talked to special guest @jobanmono2711.bsky.social for the main section! jtalkpod.podbean.com/e/jtet-j2-ro...

jtalkpod.podbean.com

JTET - J2 Round 11 Review | The J-Talk Podcast

With a rush of Golden Week matches hoving into view, the JTET team looks back on the most recent slate of J2 fixtures (played across Friday and Saturday last week). In Part 1 (Start to 04:15) James gi...

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J-Talk: Extra Time @jtalket.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

NEW POD RELEASE (PATREON) An all-new JTET episode is now live for @jtalkpod.bsky.social Pateons (free feed at 12:00 JST today, Tuesday 29th April)! This week the boys were joined by special guest @jobanmono2711.bsky.social for a deep dive into Nagasaki v Iwaki (plus all the usual segments)!

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

So lucky my visit to Kyushu for family + work coincided with Iwaki FC's visit to the Peace Stadium to take on V-Varen Nagasaki. Rollicking 4-3 win that was more like Iwaki of last season with pinpoint crosses, rapid counter attacks and wild defending. V-Varen's ground very impressive too. ＃いわきFC

A man in a red and blue t-shirt inside a football stadium.

Iwaki FC supporters in red t-shirts and with red flags, inside a large new stadium.

Iwaki FC players, in white, gatehr in front of their supporters after a victory.

A plastic cup of beer and six round 'takoyaki' balls with chopsticks.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Was in Klaipeda on the Lithuanian coast for fieldwork. Took in a 2nd division game on the last day, seeing Neptunas Klaipeda beat Be1 NFA 3-0. Basketball is the main sport in Lithuania, so kudos to the 'Klaipeda Seaside Youth' who brought drums and flags! Be1 had a guy up front on loan from Airdrie!

A small football stadium with a little grandstand and an artificial surface.

A small group of young football supporters from behind, with a drum and flags.

A small football stadium under floodlights.

An artificial grass pitch, with large floodlights and trees behind it at sunset.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Early start yesterday for Ventforet Kofu 1-0 Iwaki. That was much better and unlucky not to take something, but Iwaki have 2 goals from open play in 8 games, which tells its own story. It's the same strikeforce as last season minus Arima. Double up on Tanimura and you simply stop Iwaki scoring.

A computer screen showing Iwaki FC in white away to Ventforet Kofu in blue and red.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

An excellent day. Been a good while since I’ve seen us win by three goals ‘in the flesh.’ It may have come to late for us to close the gap to fourth, but Barry Robson has got us playing some solid stuff and looking up rather than down. 5 unbeaten, time to pump up my tyres 🚴 🗺️

A football team and their manager acknowledge the travelling supporters in front of an empty red stand.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

First visualisations of Iwaki FC's planned new stadium are out! A purpose-built football stadium, right by the sea in Onahama. Have been to that area many times interviewing fishers, local government scientists and aquarium staff. It's a beautiful setting - but nearest station is 3km away.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Yesterday was Purple Day to raise epilepsy awareness. As I don't have a purple Raith Rovers shirt, I took the chance on @onnnpodcast.bsky.social to break out this magnificent bargain I scored on Vinted a few months back: a long-sleeve Sanfrecce Hiroshima template: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ4B...

A man wearing headphones on a podcast. He is wearing a long-sleeve purple Mizuno football shirt, with an orange, green and white pattern across the chest.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

The BTCC was to motor racing in the 1990s what the Scottish Championship is to football today. www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6Jc...

youtube.com

BTCC Tribute: This is Supertouring

YouTube video by JackDavis16

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

Firhill last night (+ my wife enjoying a cheeseboard in a 1995-96 Rovers goalie top). In isolation that's not a bad result - and if we don't make the playoffs it will be because of how bad we were earlier in the season, rather than games like this alone - but no quality whatsoever from either side.

A football stadium under floodlights before an evening game.

A woman in a vintage 1995 Raith Rovers goalkeeper uniform eating a cheeseboard.

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The FootPol Podcast @footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Our latest episode on the 2030 World Cup is now out! We look at Morocco's precarious economic situation and occupation of Western Sahara while Open University's @ljmabon.bsky.social discusses environmental and sustainability issues and concerns. Check it out! www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

A goal from open play! Frustrating start to 2025 for Iwaki, but a better performance today. Lots of new players who Tamura doesn't quite seem to have figured out how to use, and a real lack of creativity to get balls to players in the box. Still, only 4 games in. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr3N...

youtube.com

【HIGHLIGHTS】いわきFC vs サガン鳥栖 | 2025明治安田J2リーグ第4節

YouTube video by いわきFC / IWAKI FC

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Oh No No No podcast @onnnpodcast.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

🚨 Comprehensive defeatcast! 🚨 🎙️ Join Duncan, Robbie, Scott and Leslie for an incredibly thorough retelling of each excruciating moment from yesterday's 4-0 loss, and a look ahead to Wednesday's trip to Livingston. 🔗 linktr.ee/onnnpodcast

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

I've worked out if Raith continue on our current trajectory, we'll get 45 points. Just be enough to avoid relegation, but does not leave much wiggle room. Yes, we can get good results, but it's concerning how low the performance floor and how weak the mentality of this group of players can be.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Iwaki FC goalkeeper top for tonight's run. After two goal-less games, let's hope the season starts properly this weekend at the Hawaiians Stadium! #IwakiFC #いわきFC

A man in a blue and red football shirt standing in front of a sunset by the sea.

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Leslie Mabon @ljmabon.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

I spoke to Spanish news outlet Relevo about playing football in hotter stadiums, to complement research Relevo has done on how La Liga grounds are affected by warming. Key point: clear guidelines and standards are crucial, but there's a limit to how far we can adapt. www.relevo.com/futbol/liga-...

relevo.com

Por qué pasas más calor en los estadios que antes: el mapa de las anomalías térmicas de LaLiga y su relación con el cambio climático | Relevo

Los tres últimos años han sido los más cálidos del siglo para 19 de todos los estadios de Primera División en este siglo.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

That, in a nutshell, is probably what is going to limit how far Barry Robson can go with this team this season. We were not terrible for 70 mins against a vastly improved Airdrie side. Robson should have made changes sooner - but there are just so few levers we can pull if it's not working up top.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

In pre-Brexit days, Raith Rovers imported cult heroes and bona fide club legends from overseas. I've had great fun hunting down shirts from the clubs these guys played for. Recently got a 1986 Cadiz CF top (minus crest), hometown club of former player-manager and all-round gentleman Toni Calderón.

A yellow Cadiz CF football shirt with a blue collar. It has a crest reading 'Massana' but is missing the club badge.

A Panini sticker of Cadiz CF player Antonio Calderon. He has a large volume of brown hair, and is wearing a yellow and blue uniform.

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Oh No No No podcast @onnnpodcast.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

🚨 Pod available now! 🚨 Join Duncan, Les, Carol and Robbie for: ✅ Penalty perfection 🐟 Pollock leaps like a salmon 🏖️ A trip to Airdrie ♀️ Preparations for #IWD2025 linktr.ee/onnnpodcast

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Another win for Raith Rovers and encouraging signs Barry Robson is getting a tune out of these players. Accies better than when we played them last (albeit that's not saying much) and we struggled to settle, but stuck to our guns and ground a result out. Can start looking up rather than down.

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Leslie Mabon @jobanmono2711.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Nineteen shots. Three of them on target. First thing Hayasaka has to do is pick the ball out his own net from a penalty. Lose 0-2. Iwaki FC are turned up to eleven for 2025. Looking forward to the rest of the year.

A graphic showing Iwaki FC's shots on goal against JEF United. The shooting pattern can best be described as a 'scattergun' approach.

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