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{{Short description|English footballer (1915–2019)}}
{{about||the British botanist and ornithologist|George Henry Caton Haigh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
| name = George Haigh
| name = George Haigh
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| caption =
| caption =
| fullname = George Haigh
| fullname = George Haigh
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1915|6|26|df=y}}<ref name="pfa">{{cite web|url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2015/6/29/stockport-county-legend-turns-100|title=Stockport County legend turns 100|publisher=PFA.com|date=26 June 2015|accessdate=7 May 2016}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1915|6|29|df=y}}<ref name="pfa">{{cite web|url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2015/6/29/stockport-county-legend-turns-100|title=Stockport County legend turns 100|publisher=PFA.com|date=26 June 2015|accessdate=7 May 2016}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Reddish]], England<ref name="pfa"/>
| birth_place = [[Reddish]], England<ref name="pfa"/>
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|4|23|1915|6|26|df=y}}
| position = [[Centre-back]]
| position = [[Centre-back]]
| youthyears1 = 1931–1936
| youthyears1 = 1931–1936
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| years5 = 1948–1952
| years5 = 1948–1952
| clubs5 = [[Rossendale United F.C.|Rossendale United]]
| clubs5 = [[Rossendale United F.C.|Rossendale United]]
| caps5 =
| caps5 = 109
| goals5 =
| goals5 = 2
| manageryears1 = 1948–1952
| manageryears1 = 1948–1952
| managerclubs1 = [[Rossendale United F.C.|Rossendale United]] <small>(player-manager)</small>
| managerclubs1 = [[Rossendale United F.C.|Rossendale United]] <small>(player-manager)</small>
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}}
}}
}}
}}
'''George Haigh''' (born 26 June 1915) is an English former professional footballer, mainly known for his association with [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]]. At the age of 103, he is the oldest surviving former County player,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/county-legend-george-haigh-at-brackley-tomorrow-2299580.aspx|title=County Legend George Haigh at Brackley tomorrow|publisher=Stockport County F.C.|date=27 February 2015|accessdate=7 May 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012113211/https://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/county-legend-george-haigh-at-brackley-tomorrow-2299580.aspx|archivedate=12 October 2016|deadurl=y}}</ref> and has been widely attributed to being the oldest surviving former professional footballer,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.player.stockportcounty.com/latest-news/fde6ac6c-8d7c-47da-8e7d-a9c327b8771b|title=George Haigh - The Oldest Surviving Professional Footballer In the World|publisher=Stockport County F.C.|date=12 September 2015|accessdate=16 May 2016}}</ref> although [[Arthur Smith (footballer, born 1915)|Arthur Smith]] is one month older.
'''George Haigh''' (26 June 1915 – 23 April 2019) was an English professional [[association football|footballer]], mainly known for his association with [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]]. At the age of 103, he was the oldest surviving former County player,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/county-legend-george-haigh-at-brackley-tomorrow-2299580.aspx|title=County Legend George Haigh at Brackley tomorrow|publisher=Stockport County F.C.|date=27 February 2015|accessdate=7 May 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012113211/https://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/county-legend-george-haigh-at-brackley-tomorrow-2299580.aspx|archivedate=12 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and had been widely attributed for being the oldest surviving former professional footballer,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.player.stockportcounty.com/latest-news/fde6ac6c-8d7c-47da-8e7d-a9c327b8771b|title=George Haigh - The Oldest Surviving Professional Footballer In the World|publisher=Stockport County F.C.|date=12 September 2015|accessdate=16 May 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009162343/http://www.player.stockportcounty.com/latest-news/fde6ac6c-8d7c-47da-8e7d-a9c327b8771b|url-status=dead}}</ref> although [[Arthur Smith (footballer, born 1915)|Arthur Smith]] was one month older at the time of Haigh's death.


==Career==
==Career==
Haigh's career started at [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in 1931,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2018/november/man-city-oldest-academy-graduate-george-haigh|title=GEORGE HAIGH: CITY'S OLDEST ACADEMY GRADUATE|publisher=Manchester City F.C.|date=15 November 2018|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref> as a junior. He played in the reserves alongside [[Frank Swift]], but when Swift was promoted to the senior side, Haigh stayed where he was.<ref name="mirror">{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/george-haigh-i-asked-stanley-249047|title=George Haigh: "I asked Stanley Matthews, 'How the hell do you do it?'"|work=Daily Mirror|date=22 September 2010|accessdate=7 May 2016}}</ref> During his time at City, he also worked in a dying and bleaching factory.<ref name="salford">{{cite web|url=http://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2016/11/21/meet-george-haigh-oldest-surviving-ex-professional-football-player/|title=Meet George Haigh – the oldest surviving ex professional football player|work=Salford Now|first=Matt|last=Bullin|date=21 November 2016|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref> In 1936, he joined [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]], where he played at all levels for County, from the A team right up to the first team.<ref name="scfc">{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/legend-george-haigh-returns-to-edgeley-park-2680612.aspx#506vU2JEmiDL4cQv.99|title=Legend George Haigh returns to Edgeley Park|publisher=Stockport County F.C.|date=10 September 2015|accessdate=7 May 2016}}</ref> Haigh had the misfortune to score an own goal on his debut for County, and made a second league appearance before the outbreak of the [[World War II|Second World War]].
Haigh's career started at [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in 1931,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/2018/november/man-city-oldest-academy-graduate-george-haigh|title=GEORGE HAIGH: CITY'S OLDEST ACADEMY GRADUATE|publisher=Manchester City F.C.|date=15 November 2018|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref> as a junior. He played in the reserves alongside [[Frank Swift]], but when Swift was promoted to the senior side, Haigh stayed where he was.<ref name="mirror">{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/george-haigh-i-asked-stanley-249047|title=George Haigh: "I asked Stanley Matthews, 'How the hell do you do it?'"|work=Daily Mirror|date=22 September 2010|accessdate=7 May 2016}}</ref> During his time at City, he also worked in a dying and bleaching factory.<ref name="salford">{{Cite web |last=Bullin |first=Matt |date=21 November 2016 |title=Meet George Haigh – the oldest surviving ex professional football player |url=http://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2016/11/21/meet-george-haigh-oldest-surviving-ex-professional-football-player/ |website=Salford Now |accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref> In 1936, he joined [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]], where he played at all levels for County, from the A team right up to the first team.<ref name="scfc">{{cite web|url=http://www.stockportcounty.com/news/article/legend-george-haigh-returns-to-edgeley-park-2680612.aspx#506vU2JEmiDL4cQv.99|title=Legend George Haigh returns to Edgeley Park|publisher=Stockport County F.C.|date=10 September 2015|accessdate=7 May 2016}}</ref> Haigh had the misfortune to score an own goal on his debut for County, and made a second league appearance before the outbreak of the [[World War II|Second World War]].


In 1940, he enlisted in the [[Royal Air Force]], serving as a physical training instructor and was stationed at RAF Morecambe and RAF Wilmslow, where he trained new recruits and parachutists.<ref name="pfa"/> He reached the rank of [[flight sergeant]] before being commissioned an [[acting pilot officer]] (on probation) on 20 June 1941,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35217|page=4002|date=11 July 1941}}</ref> and was regraded as a [[pilot officer]] (on probation) on 20 August.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35254|page=4878|date=22 August 1941}}</ref> Whilst at Morecambe, he played for the services team as well as the town's [[Morecambe F.C.|football team]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://southmanchesternews.co.uk/stockport-county-museum-opened-by-102-year-old-george-haigh/|title=Stockport County Museum opened by 102-year-old George Haigh|work=South Manchester News|first=Paul|last=Harrison|date=3 July 2017|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref> and in 1942, joined [[Rochdale F.C.|Rochdale]]. Rochdale often played [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], and Haigh was usually tasked to mark [[Stanley Matthews]].<ref name="mirror"/> During wartime, he also made guest appearances for [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] and [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]].<ref name="scfc"/> On 20 June 1942, Haigh was confirmed in the rank of pilot officer, and was promoted to [[flying officer]] (war-substantive) on 20 August.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35717|supp=y|page=4169|date=22 September 1942}}</ref> He was promoted to [[flight lieutenant]] (war-substantive) on 11 September 1944,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36819|supp=y|page=5511|date=28 November 1944}}</ref> and was [[mentioned in despatches]] in 1945, ending his service with the rank of [[squadron leader]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37119|supp=y|page=2992|date=8 June 1945}}</ref>
In 1940, he enlisted in the [[Royal Air Force]], serving as a physical training instructor and was stationed at RAF Morecambe and [[RAF Wilmslow]], where he trained new recruits and parachutists.<ref name="pfa"/> He reached the rank of [[flight sergeant]] before being commissioned an [[acting pilot officer]] (on probation) on 20 June 1941,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35217|page=4002|date=11 July 1941}}</ref> and was regraded as a [[pilot officer]] (on probation) on 20 August.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35254|page=4878|date=22 August 1941}}</ref> Whilst at Morecambe, he played for the services team as well as the town's [[Morecambe F.C.|football team]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://southmanchesternews.co.uk/stockport-county-museum-opened-by-102-year-old-george-haigh/|title=Stockport County Museum opened by 102-year-old George Haigh|work=South Manchester News|first=Paul|last=Harrison|date=3 July 2017|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref> and in 1942, joined [[Rochdale F.C.|Rochdale]]. Rochdale often played [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], and Haigh was usually tasked to mark [[Stanley Matthews]].<ref name="mirror"/> During wartime, he also made guest appearances for [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] and [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]].<ref name="scfc"/> On 20 June 1942, Haigh was confirmed in the rank of pilot officer, and was promoted to [[flying officer]] (war-substantive) on 20 August.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35717|supp=y|page=4169|date=22 September 1942}}</ref> He was promoted to [[flight lieutenant]] (war-substantive) on 11 September 1944,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=36819|supp=y|page=5511|date=28 November 1944}}</ref> and was [[mentioned in despatches]] in 1945, ending his service with the rank of [[squadron leader]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37119|supp=y|page=2992|date=8 June 1945}}</ref>


In 1945, he was offered the player-manager position at [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]], but Haigh decided to join [[Lancaster City F.C.|Lancaster City]] as they had offered him a trade as a metal spinner, as well as the captaincy of the team.<ref name="pfa"/> Coincidentally, the club already had a player who owned an engineering firm, so Haigh was able to train during the week and play for the club on the weekends.<ref name="salford"/> The following year, Haigh was later discharged as a sergeant.<ref name="pfa"/> In 1948, he was appointed as player-manager for [[Rossendale United F.C.|Rossendale United]]. Haigh has been vocal about his time at Rossendale, as he was constantly undermined by the board of directors over prospective new players, so he resigned in 1952,<ref name="sol">{{cite web|url=https://www.soltimes.com/2017/10/oldest-former-english-professional-footballer-george-haigh/|title=OLDEST FORMER ENGLISH PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER – GEORGE HAIGH|publisher=Sol Times|first=Karl|last=Smallman|date=15 November 2018|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref> effectively ending his career in football.<ref name="salford"/>
In 1945, he was offered the player-manager position at [[Arbroath F.C.|Arbroath]], but Haigh decided to join [[Lancaster City F.C.|Lancaster City]] as they had offered him a trade as a metal spinner, as well as the captaincy of the team.<ref name="pfa"/> Coincidentally, the club already had a player who owned an engineering firm, so Haigh was able to train during the week and play for the club on the weekends.<ref name="salford" /> The following year, Haigh was later discharged as a sergeant.<ref name="pfa"/> In 1948, he was appointed as player-manager for [[Rossendale United F.C.|Rossendale United]]. Haigh had been vocal about his time at Rossendale, as he was constantly undermined by the board of directors over prospective new players, so he resigned in 1952,<ref name="sol">{{cite web|url=https://www.soltimes.com/2017/10/oldest-former-english-professional-footballer-george-haigh/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923151356/https://www.soltimes.com/2017/10/oldest-former-english-professional-footballer-george-haigh/|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 September 2020|title=OLDEST FORMER ENGLISH PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER – GEORGE HAIGH|publisher=Sol Times|first=Karl|last=Smallman|date=15 November 2018|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref> effectively ending his career in football.<ref name="salford" />


In 1998, County's club historians got back in touch with Haigh (and even then, he was considered one of the oldest surviving former professional footballers). He has maintained regular contact with the club, appearing as a guest of honour in 2008. In 2010, he was one of the first recipients of a Stockport County Appearance Number certificate.<ref name="scfc"/> He continued to watch County home and away up until after his 100th birthday,<ref name="sol"/> but has made special appearances since then, most recently in November 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/103-year-old-george-haigh-helps-county-pay-tribute-to-the-fallen/|title=103-year-old George Haigh helps County pay tribute to the fallen|publisher=Stockport County F.C.|date=15 November 2018|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref> Haigh has [[Macular degeneration|age-related macular degeneration]] and, as of 2015, receives support from [[Blind Veterans UK]], the national [[Charitable organization|charity]] for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13319769.A_double_celebration_for_blind_RAF_veteran/|title=A double celebration for blind RAF veteran|work=Oxford Mail|first=Hannah|last=Somerville|date=9 June 2015|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref>
In 1998, County's club historians got back in touch with Haigh (and even then, he was considered one of the oldest surviving former professional footballers). He maintained regular contact with the club, appearing as a guest of honour in 2008. In 2010, he was one of the first recipients of a Stockport County Appearance Number certificate.<ref name="scfc"/> He continued to watch County home and away up until after his 100th birthday,<ref name="sol"/> but made special appearances after that, notably in November 2018 when he unveiled a plaque at Edgley Park commemorating former players who died in [[World War I]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stockportcounty.com/103-year-old-george-haigh-helps-county-pay-tribute-to-the-fallen/|title=103-year-old George Haigh helps County pay tribute to the fallen|publisher=Stockport County F.C.|date=15 November 2018|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref> Haigh suffered from [[Macular degeneration|age-related macular degeneration]] and, until at least 2015, received support from [[Blind Veterans UK]], the national [[Charitable organization|charity]] for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/13319769.A_double_celebration_for_blind_RAF_veteran/|title=A double celebration for blind RAF veteran|work=Oxford Mail|first=Hannah|last=Somerville|date=9 June 2015|accessdate=28 November 2018}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Haigh, George}}
[[Category:1915 births]]
[[Category:1915 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:British military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:English men centenarians]]
[[Category:English centenarians]]
[[Category:British men centenarians]]
[[Category:English footballers]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Morecambe F.C. players]]
[[Category:Morecambe F.C. players]]
[[Category:Lancaster City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Lancaster City F.C. players]]
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[[Category:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Stockport County F.C. players]]
[[Category:Stockport County F.C. players]]
[[Category:Association football defenders]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Walsall F.C. wartime guest players]]
[[Category:Walsall F.C. wartime guest players]]
[[Category:Burnley F.C. wartime guest players]]
[[Category:Burnley F.C. wartime guest players]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force squadron leaders]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force Physical Training instructors]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Manchester]]
[[Category:20th-century English sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 03:18, 15 November 2024

For the British botanist and ornithologist, see George Henry Caton Haigh.

George Haigh
Personal information
Full name George Haigh
Date of birth (1915-06-29)29 June 1915[1]
Place of birth Reddish, England[1]
Date of death 23 April 2019(2019-04-23) (aged 103)
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
1931–1936 Manchester City
1936–1938 Stockport County
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1938–1940 Stockport County 2 (0)
1940–1942 Morecambe
1942–1945 Rochdale
1945–1946 Lancaster City
1948–1952 Rossendale United 109 (2)
Managerial career
1948–1952 Rossendale United (player-manager)

Military career
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch Royal Air Force
Years of service1940–1945
RankSquadron leader
Battles / warsWorld War II
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

George Haigh (26 June 1915 – 23 April 2019) was an English professional footballer, mainly known for his association with Stockport County. At the age of 103, he was the oldest surviving former County player,[2] and had been widely attributed for being the oldest surviving former professional footballer,[3] although Arthur Smith was one month older at the time of Haigh's death.

Career

[edit]

Haigh's career started at Manchester City in 1931,[4] as a junior. He played in the reserves alongside Frank Swift, but when Swift was promoted to the senior side, Haigh stayed where he was.[5] During his time at City, he also worked in a dying and bleaching factory.[6] In 1936, he joined Stockport County, where he played at all levels for County, from the A team right up to the first team.[7] Haigh had the misfortune to score an own goal on his debut for County, and made a second league appearance before the outbreak of the Second World War.

In 1940, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force, serving as a physical training instructor and was stationed at RAF Morecambe and RAF Wilmslow, where he trained new recruits and parachutists.[1] He reached the rank of flight sergeant before being commissioned an acting pilot officer (on probation) on 20 June 1941,[8] and was regraded as a pilot officer (on probation) on 20 August.[9] Whilst at Morecambe, he played for the services team as well as the town's football team,[10] and in 1942, joined Rochdale. Rochdale often played Blackpool, and Haigh was usually tasked to mark Stanley Matthews.[5] During wartime, he also made guest appearances for Walsall and Burnley.[7] On 20 June 1942, Haigh was confirmed in the rank of pilot officer, and was promoted to flying officer (war-substantive) on 20 August.[11] He was promoted to flight lieutenant (war-substantive) on 11 September 1944,[12] and was mentioned in despatches in 1945, ending his service with the rank of squadron leader.[13]

In 1945, he was offered the player-manager position at Arbroath, but Haigh decided to join Lancaster City as they had offered him a trade as a metal spinner, as well as the captaincy of the team.[1] Coincidentally, the club already had a player who owned an engineering firm, so Haigh was able to train during the week and play for the club on the weekends.[6] The following year, Haigh was later discharged as a sergeant.[1] In 1948, he was appointed as player-manager for Rossendale United. Haigh had been vocal about his time at Rossendale, as he was constantly undermined by the board of directors over prospective new players, so he resigned in 1952,[14] effectively ending his career in football.[6]

In 1998, County's club historians got back in touch with Haigh (and even then, he was considered one of the oldest surviving former professional footballers). He maintained regular contact with the club, appearing as a guest of honour in 2008. In 2010, he was one of the first recipients of a Stockport County Appearance Number certificate.[7] He continued to watch County home and away up until after his 100th birthday,[14] but made special appearances after that, notably in November 2018 when he unveiled a plaque at Edgley Park commemorating former players who died in World War I.[15] Haigh suffered from age-related macular degeneration and, until at least 2015, received support from Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.[16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Stockport County legend turns 100". PFA.com. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  2. ^ "County Legend George Haigh at Brackley tomorrow". Stockport County F.C. 27 February 2015. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  3. ^ "George Haigh - The Oldest Surviving Professional Footballer In the World". Stockport County F.C. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  4. ^ "GEORGE HAIGH: CITY'S OLDEST ACADEMY GRADUATE". Manchester City F.C. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  5. ^ a b "George Haigh: "I asked Stanley Matthews, 'How the hell do you do it?'"". Daily Mirror. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Bullin, Matt (21 November 2016). "Meet George Haigh – the oldest surviving ex professional football player". Salford Now. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  7. ^ a b c "Legend George Haigh returns to Edgeley Park". Stockport County F.C. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  8. ^ "No. 35217". The London Gazette. 11 July 1941. p. 4002.
  9. ^ "No. 35254". The London Gazette. 22 August 1941. p. 4878.
  10. ^ Harrison, Paul (3 July 2017). "Stockport County Museum opened by 102-year-old George Haigh". South Manchester News. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  11. ^ "No. 35717". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 September 1942. p. 4169.
  12. ^ "No. 36819". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 November 1944. p. 5511.
  13. ^ "No. 37119". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 1945. p. 2992.
  14. ^ a b Smallman, Karl (15 November 2018). "OLDEST FORMER ENGLISH PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER – GEORGE HAIGH". Sol Times. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  15. ^ "103-year-old George Haigh helps County pay tribute to the fallen". Stockport County F.C. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  16. ^ Somerville, Hannah (9 June 2015). "A double celebration for blind RAF veteran". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
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