Leeds Banter Archive February 06 2014

 

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06 Feb 2014 22:35:15
To Survivor,
I must admit at the start of all this when you posted "embrace Massimo" and someone replied that you were his pr machine, I kinda agreed due to my reservations over his past and then the Friday Fiasco. But, I take my hat off to you and you were totally correct. that's the beauty of knowledge though I guess, we have had to stumble about in the darkness wondering what on earth was going on! Well played mate

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06 Feb 2014 22:26:52
All together now.
Da the da the daa the da the da
Da the da the daa the da the da
I can't see me loving nobody but Leeds
Ohhh cellino
I can't see me loving nobody but Leeds
Ohhhho Cellliinno!

Someone had to say it!

C'mon Leeds!

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06 Feb 2014 20:51:28
Saw BMcD's interview on dye sports, the guy defo has passion for LUFC, I really, really believe that he is the one and hope doesn't part company before the "job" is done

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06 Feb 2014 23:08:32
Looks very much like Cellino is going to take over the club, this may not be what I had hoped for initially and this was based on historical financial wrong doings.

I have been a Leeds supporter for nearly 50 years, Risdale's farcical tenure of the club which has cost us dearly (and were still paying for), then Bates who seemed determined to thwart any progress in footballing terms, and now GHF who have had their true state of financial affairs from a Leeds United sense exposed. So I've become untrusting and wary of anyone wanting to buy our club and their 'promises' or statements of what they will do.

Our club is just a farce at the minute and needs stability, so as usual I will get on board with Our new owner. We are in such a financial mess if what the media report is true, if Cellino can get us financially stable and competitive on the pitch, bring it on.

So I'm doing a U turn, Cellino in and spaghetti for tea.

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06 Feb 2014 20:48:46
GFH, or TFFTGBO ( The Front For The Grey Beared One) were courting a number of investors. Only Cellino had the readies, but the man had a record and wouldn' pass the FA guidelines. So the GBO decides to 'volunteer' a few patsies to seek winding up orders. What a brilliant way to put pressure on the FA to deem Cellino a fit and proper person. 'If you don't pass him Leeds are gone' will be the message.Once Cellino is in place expect plenty of 'we only did it in the best interests of Leeds and we are delighted that Mr Celino's bid has been successful'. Football is a game played off the pitch as well as on it!

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06 Feb 2014 20:23:50
Cellino was attending a game in 2012 when after the game a young boy a cagliari fan was given a shirt from one of the opposing teams player, cellino went over to the boy verbally abused him, escorted him to the nearest steward and made the boy hand it over, that's what kind of person we are dealing with.our family club is gone if he gets in the man's an animal.

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06 Feb 2014 20:56:09
And you saw that happen?

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If my son came back from ER with a mU shirt I'd bollock him too

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Last reply about mu shirt sheer quality!

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I read this story it was hamksicks jersey from Napoli

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So what should of burnt it . Mot

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Why would the fan except an away shirt

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06 Feb 2014 22:26:28
Hey let's not let the truth get in the way of a good story!

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So you would be ok if he man handled your son or daughter regardless

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07 Feb 2014 08:09:49
The press sells because of stories 'news'. If I had a better understanding of the Italian press, had actually read the article or indeed seen the incident myself then I might comment but as it is, I didn't so I can't form an oppinion. I would question where the parents were!

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06 Feb 2014 19:42:50
Cellino interview from www.ft.com/companies/retail and consumer.


Massimo Cellino, the Italian businessman says he expects to have "no problem" in being approved as the new owner of Leeds United and that his purchase of the football club should complete next week.

Mr Cellino, who swooped on the club after a bid from local businessmen collapsed last week, is paying about £25m for a 75 per cent stake from owners GFH Capital.

He told the Financial Times that he was confident he would be approved as a suitable owner by the Football League, despite a past conviction for false accounting.

Mr Cellino blamed the "jealousy" in Italian football for the 2001 false accounting case. He was also convicted of fraud in 1996 but cleared on appeal.

He said he was selling his Serie A club Cagliari because he was "tired and fed up" of Italian football and he did not have the energy to run two clubs.

"It is not going to be a problem, " he said of the League test because standards in Italy were high. "I have owned a club for 22 years. I have a lot of experience."

Since Mr Cellino's conviction is spent under English law and he received a suspended sentence, it should not prevent him passing the Football League's test of whether he is fit to own a club, according to Mr Cellino's lawyer.

Leeds would be owned by an English company, Mr Cellino said, of which he would hold 9.5 per cent, with his family in overall control. Their first act would be to buy back the club's 40,000-capacity Elland Road stadium.

Mr Cellino said he would install himself as president of Leeds, move to Yorkshire and have a hands-on approach to player recruitment. He would invest in the academy and scour the world to buy players.

Leeds borrowed £1.5m from Mr Cellino last week to help pay the championship club's wage bill. It is robustly contesting a winding up petition from Enterprise Insurance, the club sponsor. Andrew Flowers, managing director of Enterprise, and the company itself, are owed about £4m, according to people familiar with the situation.

Mr Cellino said he had the money necessary to buy and invest in the lossmaking club and would meet the Football League on Wednesday.

"On Thursday I am going to the bank and I will buy our stadium. I have the funds to buy Leeds and to run Leeds."

He pledged to return the club, which had average crowds of more than 30,000 when it was in the top flight, to the Premier League in his first full season in charge and keep it there. "A club like Leeds has big potential. I want to see Leeds United versus Manchester United like it used to be. I want to make the fans happy. I know what it means to be a fan."

Leeds was English champion three times before relegation from the Premier League in 2004, but suffered a brief spell in administration in 2007. GFH, a Bahrain private equity fund, bought the club in 2012 and has invested £20m.

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06 Feb 2014 20:24:18
Sounds good to me!

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I will have a bit of that!

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A "Hands on approach to player recruitment", surely means he finds the players, buts them and Mac coaches them, can't see Mac going along with that so I fear when Cellino comes in, Mac goes out unless he feels they can compromise, don't think Cellino is one to compromise though, we shall see.

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Finally someone with passion for our club. not a word I don't agree with in Cellino's interview.
In regards to player recruitment - I think he is on about developing the academy, so I have a feeling he is going to look for young prospects to bring in from around the world or maybe he feels he can negotiate the deals better than the chief executive (can't be any worse than Shaun Harvey was).

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Think MCD would prefer someone elses signings to no signings at all.

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06 Feb 2014 19:05:01
Did you hear BMD on Radio Leeds. He ducked the question on how he thought GFH had behaved. Also said this new Italian looks good. JD

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06 Feb 2014 18:58:59
Beckham could have got us a lot cheaper than his 'Miami Models' or whatever they're called. But Cellino could do a great job. Just hope we don't adopt Italian tactics. diving and acting etc. So let's get that CL trophy into our cabinet . we should have had it in '75 but Beckenfookincheatenbauer stole it from us.

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Think Beckham will be calling them Miami Spice!

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06 Feb 2014 18:30:28
A message for SURVIVOR
I will bow down and take it you are a man i'm the know
What is the timeline from here
How long will it take for don Cellino to take over and give us a bit of stability and normality?

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I know much more than I dare say publicly but all we are being told is that it's the end of next week.
However you will know when the FL announce their findings.
Trying to fix up a celebration game at ER with Cagliari for all the fans to enjoy.
Prob pre season or if we miss the play offs then sooner.

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The latest info I just received is Wed next week

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Nice one survivor

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06 Feb 2014 18:16:19
I have to admit that I didn't want Cellino to be any part of our club, based on his past and the way he treated BMD last week.

I have supported Leeds for almost 50 years now and in retrospect the 'Ridsdale years' have damaged Leeds financially beyond expectations.

If Cellino is going to come in and get rid of the debt and be as passionate as we are about Leeds, and support US then so be it.

Had we not had Bates to deal with in the past I think many more of us may have been more open to Cellino.

Support us, Cellino, and you will find us open and willing.

Cross us, like you did last week, and you will find an empty ground.

You need us as much as we need you

Leeds4alongtime

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Thats a good blog mate

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Very good post.
I too have been around and close to the club for a long time and it's frightening what's become of us.
I took my name as I broke my back in the Stanstead plane crash.
I truly believe this man can take us home to the top of football where we belong.

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OP here

To Survivor, sorry to hear about your name thing, deep down every Leeds supporter wants to see the glory years back again, and we want to see our kids understand what it was all about all those years ago.

The last 12 years have been hell, getting rid of bates was good but then we end up with GFH who obviously had no idea what they bought into but hoped for a fast profit, hopefully this will have burnt their fingers all the way down to their arses!

Until anyone truly understands WHY we support Leeds (and will do till the death) then they will NEVER get the fans behind them.

Leeds was built on a principle of 'Team before self' and that still stands.

That goes for us supporters too!

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07 Feb 2014 08:32:01
Whilst I support that view, like so many things, football is about money! Many players are attracted by the salary not the club! Shame but true, even if their opening statement is is'' I chose Leeds over other teams because. '' Because they offered something the others didn't! simples! Sad I know - think I am just depressed at the minute!

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06 Feb 2014 18:15:14
Am I the only one who thinks Cellino
buying our club is ok?. he might not be perfect but I don't see anyone else throwing money at us.
Lets face it Flowers has shown his true colours. In my mind worse than Cellino last week

Karl Lincs

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06 Feb 2014 17:57:58
Just look who has bought cagliar and hears us in a limbo

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06 Feb 2014 16:21:21
Sun is shining
Elland road is packed with 40,000 for the visit of Man City
Sunglasses and violin cases are being sold on the way to the ground
Spag Bol on the menu in Billys Bar
United fielding their new players. 15 million worth. for the game.
Then I woke up.
Come on for Gods sake let's get some good news one way or the other!

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You forgot the cornetto's

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As long as I don't have to give up my cider for some rubbish lager I am fine with your dream.

leeds4alongtime

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06 Feb 2014 16:16:25
Well everybody, I will be the first to admit I was not in favour of Cellino, all because of the Friday Night of the Long Knives, but without him Leeds are rubber ducked, GFH are worse than potless and no one else wants to risk investing, or cant! I think we have to throw our support behind him and take a leap of faith. Plus, it sounds like he has a lovely daughter. could be worse!

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06 Feb 2014 14:23:20
The waiting is killing me!

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It's killing us all mate! PA

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Just read on some site ( reading so many at the minute I can't remember which) that Don Celloni flying in "next week" for talks with the FL!. surely this Fit and Proper test must be over soon I don't know whether I can stand another week

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Just for once the FL may do something decent and refuse the guy, but only because it would hurt Leeds.

Seriously hope we can now turn the FL's rules against them for a change.

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06 Feb 2014 13:39:28
Just paid my mob phone bill.
Anybody offering to chip in?
Thought not and its a bit like who will buy Leeds United.
Everyone has something to say but nobody wants to really help.

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06 Feb 2014 13:59:10
Chip in - should leave that to the players! Also a reason that the 'consortiums' would not work as we need more than a few quid from a few good eggs! We are all feeling the pain and a bit of banter helps ease the tension! Let's hope this is the beginning of a new era for Leeds and a good one at that! Need something to cheer me up this weather is pump!

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Cool story bro

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I will give you a tenner survivor, I was saving it for a takeover bid for LUFC, but what the hell :)

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06 Feb 2014 16:39:45
Just spent my spare cash on sand bags! Not far to travel this week though! Don't forget your waterproofs and wellies!

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If someone could organize it, I am sure we could have got a trust together.

No wait, we already have one of them and they haven't put a penny in between them.

LUST

Lost Untill Someone Takesover

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06 Feb 2014 12:51:09
Cellino looks like he is going to get in at LUFC, just wondering what everyones hopes were. Mine are:

1. Gives BMD a chance till the end of the season.
2. Signs 2/3 loan players for the final push. Not 6 or 7 That will disrupt the team
3. Allows BMD to screen the players
4. Not sell Rosco
5. Cancel the contracts of the dead weight we have - Diouf, Norris etc etc

DS

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Too good to be true i'm afraid, we can all hope though :-)

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Sounds the way to go, It will be good to have some money in the club and be able to move forward, let's get a new shirt sponsor and get dick head Flowers company off asap.

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06 Feb 2014 12:45:04
ed if by all accounts cellino deal going through if he's got any sense which he must have to have aquired he fortune he would keep mac on till at least end of season wouldn't he? nickybee

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{Ed013's Note - He has obviously dealt with the situation wrong and back tracked from the weekend. I would imagine he will do what he should have done in the first place and that will be to give Brian a chance. If he finishes the season strong then back him in the Summer, if it is a bad finish I imagine he will be replaced}

06 Feb 2014 12:37:51
he has his own plane so why would he book a flight.this guy going to get us one of the biggest sponsor in are clubs history. he's selling his club to the yanks and he's been in talks with the same people who sponsor psg and Barcelona . gfh can't run a club there like group of dole dossers getting crisis loans to keep there heads above water.but what I can't get is how can they buy houses for 15 million in london.i think they have been drinking us dry get them arab no persons out. mafia man in I've spoke to his daughter on Instagram and shes lovely.

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And fairly fit too

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06 Feb 2014 11:56:59
For Sale: Football team, numerous owners, bad debts and wage bill that is over inflated due to poor team management. Training and playing facility available but at extra cost!
Fan base excellent and potential future gains must be explored. Buyer must have funds to dig this club right out to spiralling debt. Any offers accepted!

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Just as importantly:

For Sale, Ross McCormack. Previously rated at £x million, but if you pay his wage for the rest of the season, you can have him for £300k in the summer.

Alternatively, why not make us a really insulting offer for him, we'll probably take it for the very short term gain.

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06 Feb 2014 11:50:56
Laudraup in anyone? Wouldn't hurt to play football like Swansea. Better than BM Imo.

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No pal, for me if the Italian is going to do it right and not just wind and urine then beg for investors in 6 month the only option is Malky.
Big Mark

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Mackay ain't all that cracky, not a bad choice but I ll stick with Laudrup ;)

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06 Feb 2014 14:27:20
Why don't we just back BMcD he could still be the messiah! MOT

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If you listen to the Swansea fans, Laudrup has played negative tactics since he took over from Rogers, it worked initially becasue they carried on with same players / style etc, but he has changed the style and that is why they are where they are? Anyway, McDermott is our Manager!

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Exactly laudrup has done nothing. Inherited Rodgers team and tried to Change it and failed. Although I must say Mackay is a class manager. Don't want to see McDermott go until he has finished the season and then judge. If another poor finish then why not have a change. But for now le Brian have a pop

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06 Feb 2014 10:16:22
I just wondered, if the Italians sack Brian McDermott and replace him with Festa, if Festa has passed his coaching exams, which managers have to do over here, or if he is called 'coach', does that still apply?

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06 Feb 2014 10:05:45
Just a thought to ponder fellow whites. If the FA's Fit and Proper Person test is so important and GFH have turned out to not have pot to pee in as well as caused all this crap now. At what point is the FA held accountable for accepting these so-called Fit and Proper charlatans?

IIIIGMANIIII

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We had better hope Cellino buys us, because gfh have been borrowing money since last year, We are in debt to the tune of ten million pound, All down to the evil bates, mortgaging the revenue from season tickets and selling everything else, and guess who own the ground, we pay rent for, and thorp arch we pay rent for, so as far as I can see its Cellino or oblivion

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I think youve got it bang on!

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06 Feb 2014 08:51:52
hopefully our latest saga is coming to an end and the Italian man will be in charge. My views over him have changed in the last few days he has the money, experience and he is the only person who hasn't mucked about unlike the other persons who have just cuased more trouble for our great club also if you have insurance with our former shirt sponsor cancel it till he drops his winding up scam

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Hasnt mucked us about, but is a damned liar (IMO of course)

"he did everything he could to get sacked"
"I do not have the authority to sack him"
"GFH didn't have the balls to sack him"

OK - so not word for word, but still. Lied throughout that aspect of his buyout.

From a Business sense, yes agree hasn't messed us around.

DS

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06 Feb 2014 08:22:05
Not a rumour or any facts just an honest request to fellow Leeds fans to sponsor me in my first trilathon on May 12th I am doing the event to raise money for RF Blindness and Zoe's place which is a children's hospice charity.

I suffered a minor stroke in November and have been advised to lose a little weight and get fitter so that's what I am trying to do. Any donation would be great the link to my just giving page is http://www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/Mark-Davison6

I thought if it was good enough for David Haigh to ask for donations for his fund raising events. I would as well, I know how fantastic fans we have and thought it was worth asking, just now to be careful that all this stress does not give me another one.

Ed apologies if this is not allowed on the site

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{Ed013's Note - Not a problem at all}

06 Feb 2014 08:17:25
As they say in Star Wars, 'I've got a bad feeling about this' Now that Cellino is the only option for a takeover I'm not sure this is the best choice for the team. I've read all the things about him and apart from the positive that he has lots of money there seem to be a lot of negatives and I feel he may be worse for the club than KB, a man who sacks a manager without even meeting him and also getting someone else to make the call is not a great chairman in my eyes. I'm hoping that I will be proved wrong but only the future will tell.

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Totally agree mate good point. I can see nothing but disruption. Cheap Italian mates in, no promotion for academy players, players not wanting to play for him. We'll be in div 1 within 2 seasons. JD

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06 Feb 2014 08:14:14
Getting sick of this take over now GFH and FL just get it sorted for Cellino to take over like most fans its become a joke this consortium that consortium that don't have a pot to pee in just give it to the Italian

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06 Feb 2014 00:22:20
Why would Cellino want to buy us if he didn't see the potential? All the other bidders appear to have no money, and if he has then all is good, if not, then nothing has changed! As far as McD is concerned, I think what happened last week was disgraceful, but if we hadn't have won - 3 pts out of 21 before - then I am still not convinced that he can lead us forward. That said, I also don't think a 3rd league manager from Italy can too!

I am for the Italian take over, and you only have to look at Andy Flowers and Terry Riley's involvement to know it is the best option.

MOT

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