Martin Cloake
@martincloake.bsky.social
đ€ 1375
đ„ 281
đ 836
Writer, editor, Londoner www.martincloake.com
https://martincloake.substack.com
Latest edition of The Football Fan now out, with a European theme. Is that all we get away?, by @MartinCloake
open.substack.com/pub/martincl...
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Is that all we get away?
I have written frequently about the dreadful experience of away fans at European games. Things arenât getting any better. That needs to change.
https://open.substack.com/pub/martincloake/p/is-that-all-we-get-away?r=1e4se&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
about 1 month ago
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Shouting into the void perhaps, but the Outlook for Mac upgrade is possibly the worst software upgrade in the history of software. Has smashed the ability to autofill email addresses, and typing in every address every time is a significant time thief. Well done all at Microsoft Towers.
about 1 month ago
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Last plug for my appearance on It Started With A Kick with
@rcfoster.bsky.social
Apologies for visual disturbance.
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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Interesting seeing the stories of how people came to support their club after my ISWAK episode with
@rcfoster.bsky.social
The accepted wisdom has tended to be that support is passed down the generations, but there is more to the story.
2 months ago
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Apologies for the disturbing video clip, Iâve always said I had a great face for radio. But I really enjoyed talking about the actual football on Richardâs excellent pod
#coys
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2 months ago
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Coverage of
#stopexploitingloyalty
reaches Brazilian-based website ludopedio
@wearethefsa.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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Fine stuff from
@spursblogger
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The Levy Legacy â What Might Have Been
In evaluating the career of Daniel Levy as Tottenham Hotspur chairman, only one thing can be said with any degree of certainty. If someone reaches a straightforward conclusion, theyâre wrong. AlthoâŠ
https://tottenhamonmymind.com/2025/09/07/the-levy-legacy-what-might-have-been/
2 months ago
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Question now is, what is the ownersâ vision for the club? Looks very much like the Lewis family have made their move and this could be very positive. But we need clarity and transparency. Iâve seen too many false dawns.
#coys
2 months ago
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At a time when doubtless thousands of new âexpertsâ on tax will emerge, it is absolutely a requirement to follow Dan.
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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This will be worth a listen - and Ewanâs book is a good read too.
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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Fingers crossed someone has confiscated Danielâs phone and locked him in a cupboard to prevent a âOne last thingâ call scuppering the Simons deal.
3 months ago
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The first edition of The Football Fan for the new season is out now.
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Whatâs the big idea?
A new season and new attempts to ruin a simply beautiful game. Welcome back!
https://martincloake.substack.com/p/whats-the-big-idea
3 months ago
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Itâs Grimsby up north.
3 months ago
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This is so good.
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Football journalism needs defending â it wonât surrender ...
The term âmatch reportâ is misleading, and serves no purpose in describing what football journalism does
https://observer.co.uk/news/sport/article/match-reports-death-football-journalism-fight-to-survive
3 months ago
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This looks like a breath of fresh air.
trackrecordmedia.org/about/
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About â Track Record
https://trackrecordmedia.org/about/
3 months ago
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This is a very good read, and a sadly familiar story. In the UK, itâs a better picture but the pressure is more subtle and some of the themes still apply.
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Football is the Police State's Petri Dish
As is the custom, the Police Union publish their thoughts on the Bundesliga launch
https://www.unmodern.football/p/football-is-the-police-states-petri?publication_id=4530417&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share&isFreemail=true&triedRedirect=true
3 months ago
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This is an excellent primer on the Football Governance Act.
theesk.org/2025/08/0...
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The Analysis Series: The Independent Football Regulator
 The Analysis Series: The Independent Football Regulator and its likely Impact on English Football  The Football Governance Act 2025 which received Royal Assent on 21 July 2025, marks âŠ
https://theesk.org/2025/08/07/the-analysis-series-the-independent-football-regulator/
3 months ago
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Son is a proper
#spurs
legend and it was a privilege to see him and Harry Kane in one of the greatest partnerships ever. Sonnyâs commitment and loyalty never at fault either. If only our board had similar ability and ambition. But thank you for the days, Sonny.
3 months ago
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Something from me,
@katlaw.bsky.social
and
@anthoulla1.bsky.social
on
@tottenhamhotspur.com
âs latest ticketing misstep. We can still get it put right, though.
thefightingcock.co.uk/2025/08/is-t...
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Is the new Ticket Share policy fair?
Ticket Share is no longer free. Previously, Season Ticket Holders could transfer a ticket to anyone with a free Club account. Now, they can only send it to someone whoâs paid for a One Hotspur Members...
https://thefightingcock.co.uk/2025/08/is-the-new-ticket-share-policy-fair/
4 months ago
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Multi-club ownership, flexible rules and Crystal Palace are the focus in the latest edition of The Football Fan.
martincloake.substac...
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Rules, damn rules and Crystal Palace
Multi-club ownership is at the heart of the dispute between Crystal Palace and UEFA, and everyone has questions to answer
https://martincloake.substack.com/p/rules-damn-rules-and-crystal-palace?publication_id=95630&utm_campaign=email-post-title&r=1e4se&utm_medium=email
4 months ago
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The Price of Football pod was kind enough to ask
@percyblakeney.bsky.social
and I on to talk FABs, fan organisation and football commerce this week.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
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Interview: West Ham United Fan Advisory Board chair, Andy Payne, and Martin Cloake from Tottenhamâs âSave Our Seniorsâ campaign
Podcast Episode · The Price of Football · 18/07/2025 · 1h 21m
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-price-of-football/id1482886394?i=1000717824288
4 months ago
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This will be a special
#spurs
night. Special performance of The Ghost of White Hart Lane. Thurs July 24th @1MickyHazard will be hosting a post show auction for his amazing Legend on the Bench charity. Your chance to meet him & see this historic show. Grab the last few tix while you can
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The Ghost of White Hart Lane - Jacksons Lane Events - The Home of Contemporary Circus
â â â â â â The Edinburgh Reporter â â â â â The Times "Pick of the Fringe" â Ian Rankin Spurs and Scotland star John White was one of the best footballers of the 1960s. However, in July 1964, he was struck...
https://www.jacksonslane.org.uk/events/the-ghost-of-white-hart-lane/
4 months ago
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Evening push for my latest Substack on the tension between football and its most committed fans.
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The game versus the crowd
There is a tension in football that is bubbling under, and smart leadership is needed to deal with it.
https://open.substack.com/pub/martincloake/p/the-game-versus-the-crowd?r=1e4se&utm_medium=ios
5 months ago
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A long, and interesting, read from @SwissRamble on PSR. #Spurs types may want to scroll to the club specific bit to get potential claims that the club has to sell to buy in context.
open.substack.com/pu...
5 months ago
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Thanks to all the new followers, who seem almost exclusively
#spurs
Which gives me the chance to flag ip the books Iâve written about the club.
#shamelessselfpublicity
www.martincloake.com
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Home | Martin Cloake
https://www.martincloake.com/
5 months ago
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The real test is what happens in the window and how we back the manager, but the change in tone, content and presentation in this video is an extraordinarily encouraging step forward. Fingers crossed.
#Spurs
#COYS
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jft...
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Interview | Daniel Levy and Vinai Venkatesham
YouTube video by Tottenham Hotspur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JftRexsl_s
5 months ago
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As always, @spursblogger says pretty much what I am thinking far better. #COYS
tottenhamonmymind.co...
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Go Well Ange
Read sadness into what follows. Every word, comma and inflection. I take no pleasure in Angeâs dismissal. But there is reason. In all honesty, since Bilbao Iâve been this way and that about his futâŠ
https://tottenhamonmymind.com/2025/06/08/go-well-ange/
5 months ago
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My review of Ewan Flynnâs When the Year Ends in One - a story of a time when, believe it or not. #spurs were in turmoil. But won a cup đ
thefightingcock.co.u...
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When the Year Ends in One
For those that donât remember, the 1991 FA Cup Final came amid rumours that Spurs could go out of business after a run of poor business decisions, with the sale of superstar Paul Gascoigne looking to be the only way of keeping the banks happy, and with manager Terry Venables engaged in a lengthy boa
https://thefightingcock.co.uk/2025/06/when-the-year-ends-in-one/
5 months ago
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The second part of my account of attending the Europa League Final.
open.substack.com/pu...
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Waka waka eh eh â Winning it in Bilbao
Part two of the view from inside the fan experience at a major European final.
https://open.substack.com/pub/martincloake/p/waka-waka-hey-ay-winning-it-in-bilbao?r=1e4se&utm_medium=ios
6 months ago
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My latest Substack is inevitably a bit Spurs focused, but I thought it might be interesting to set out the practical challenges of following your team in Europe. Part two tomorrow.
martincloake.substac...
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On our way: A Bilbao odyssey
What does it take for a fan to get to a European final? This is the story of my trip to the Europa League Final 2025 and effort to shed light on what's involved. The first of a two-parterâŠ
https://martincloake.substack.com/p/on-our-way-a-bilbao-odyssey?publication_id=95630&utm_campaign=email-post-title&r=1e4se&utm_medium=email
6 months ago
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An important read from @sportingintel
open.substack.com/pu...
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We've seen this film before: migrant workers dying without explanation, for FIFA
A new report published today shines light on a rise in deaths of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia as they ramp up preparations to host the men's 2034 World Cup
https://open.substack.com/pub/sportingintelligence832/p/weve-seen-this-film-before-migrant?r=1e4se&utm_medium=ios
6 months ago
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Excellent piece from
@unmodern.football
www.unmodern.football/p/money-love...
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Money Loves Football Culture. But It Hates The People Shaping It.
Three stories show what money really thinks about the folks who built football culture.
https://www.unmodern.football/p/money-loves-football-culture-but?publication_id=4530417&utm_campaign=email-post-title&r=1e4se&utm_medium=email
6 months ago
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First impressions of the new chair of the Independent Football Regulator, and some thoughts on early challenges in the latest edition of The Football Fan.
open.substack.com/pu...
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Koganâs run
So David Kogan is going to be the chair of the Independent Football Regulator âŠ
https://open.substack.com/pub/martincloake/p/kogans-run?r=1e4se&utm_medium=ios
6 months ago
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Coming to this late after being caught up in the whole of the loon last night. Great memories and examples of why this club means so much more than the people currently running it into the ground realise.
add a skeleton here at some point
7 months ago
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Neat piece. The #Spurs Norwegian contingent have been a fixture for years, and Iâve had the pleasure of meeting some great people. There is a very astute observation on the reasons for the two teamsâ relative recent success, too.
www.nytimes.com/athl...
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âI really donât know who to supportâ: Norwegian fans of both Bodo/Glimt and Tottenham
Erli Berg Daneshmand is a lifelong Bodo/Glimt fan. Thanks to Chris Waddle, he is also a Tottenham fanatic. And he is not the only oneâŠ
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6304858/2025/04/30/tottenham-bodo-glimt-europa-league/?source=user_shared_article
7 months ago
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The latest edition of The Football Fan considers the challenges facing Fan Advisory Boards.
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How to make change
Fans are facing the challenge not only of how to organise effectively, but of how to maintain wider faith in the benefits of organisation.
https://open.substack.com/pub/martincloake/p/how-to-make-change?r=1e4se&utm_medium=ios
7 months ago
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tottenhamonmymind.com/2025/04/19/w...
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We All Needed That
Iâm still basking in the afterglow of Thursday nightâs wholesome and wholehearted performance. Such warmth and serenity has been in short supply this season. It feels like meeting an old friend youâŠ
https://tottenhamonmymind.com/2025/04/19/we-all-needed-that/
7 months ago
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Excellent piece by
@oliverkay.bsky.social
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Premier League's failure to prevent Chelsea's latest accounting tricks shows it can't regulate its clubs
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6269885/2025/04/11/premier-league-chelsea-regulator/?source=user_shared_article
7 months ago
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Sadly spot on.
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Itâs Horrible, Itâs a Mess, Itâs Tottenham
On Monday, Spurs published their latest financial results. Revenue was down, and the word of the week was âsustainableâ, as in Daniel Levyâs insistence that the clubâs investment in transfers and sâŠ
https://tottenhamonmymind.com/2025/04/04/its-horrible-its-a-mess-its-tottenham/
7 months ago
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reposted by
Martin Cloake
TheFSA
7 months ago
Man City fans want Viagogo gone. An estimated 7-8000 fans took part in Wednesday's action, probably the biggest in-stadium ticket price protest since 2016's Kop walkout:
thefsa.org.uk/news/man-cit...
#MCFC
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Man City fans want Viagogo gone - Football Supporters' Association
Manchester City fans made their views known on the clubâs deal with Viagogo by staging a hugely effective protest in the opening minutes of last nightâs game against Leicester City.
https://thefsa.org.uk/news/man-city-fans-want-viagogo-gone/
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Levy has been smart in focusing attention on spending in the
#THFC
finance statement. That deflects from poor recruitment, the creation of the awful, stifling internal culture by the current board, and lack of winning sporting mentality. While confirming they wonât invest, but will sweat the assets.
8 months ago
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Wholeheartedly endorse this.
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Message To Starmer: The Hillsborough Law As It Stands Has No Teeth. If It Does Not Contain A Legally Enforceable Duty Of Candour, Call It Something Else. We Want No Part Of It
The Government was rushing to get the bill before Parliament before the 36th anniversary. Word around Westminster suggests it's not fit for purpose. Anger is growing among campaigners
https://tonyevans92a.substack.com/p/message-to-starmer-the-hillsborough?publication_id=1097219
8 months ago
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What goes unsaid by
@jackpittbrooke.bsky.social
here is the role played by a board that doesnât have an elite sporting mentality but which has created an awful culture that makes the club an unattractive place to work at. Until that changes, itâs rinse and repeat.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/622...
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Bigger than the question of Postecoglouâs future is the question of what Spurs want to be (again)
If Spurs do decide to change manager at the end of this season, it will already be their third summer manager hunt of this decade
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6228454/2025/03/28/tottenham-manager-postecoglou-iraola/?source=user_shared_article
8 months ago
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The latest edition of my Substack The Football Fan questions the narrative of the English Premier Leagueâs economic success.
open.substack.com/pu...
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The other Premier League story
There is more than one way of looking at the economics of the English Premier League.
https://open.substack.com/pub/martincloake/p/the-other-premier-league-story?r=1e4se&utm_medium=ios
8 months ago
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đ„REMOVAL OF THE AUTOMATIC CUP SCHEME at THFC. The minutes of the latest FAB meeting say that the Club has received no complaints about the removal of the automatic cup scheme. Letâs change that. đ€đ€ đ§Email:
[email protected]
Thanks đ
8 months ago
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Worth reading the @SpursOfficial Fan Advisory Board minutes. An improvement with dissenting views at least acknowledged. Still some way to go, and the Club would do well to take on board the spirit of the consultation paper attached to the minutes.
www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2025/ma...
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Fan Advisory Board meets | Tottenham Hotspur
The Clubâs Fan Advisory Board (FAB) held a meeting on Tuesday 18 March.
https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2025/march/fan-advisory-board-meets/
8 months ago
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Itâs very difficult to properly articulate what
@jonawils.bsky.social
says in this lovely piece, but this really does need taking notice of. The trouble is, I think the people who most need to, wonât.
jonawils.substack.com/p/football-r...
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Football, ritual and nostalgia
Football is rarely just about the football. It's about the past and identity and there's an enormous danger the game's present leaders don't recognise that.
https://jonawils.substack.com/p/football-ritual-and-nostalgia
8 months ago
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Fair play, that was a decent performance. Bergvall is going to be a superstar, Solanke is hugely underrated and Spence is a proper footballer.
#coys
and Frankfurt here we come.
8 months ago
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This is pretty much where I am.
open.substack.com/pub/unexpect...
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The Thursday Spurs: The Foreboding
Tottenham's performance in Alkmaar last week has left a familiar feeling of gloom in the build-up to the second leg.
https://open.substack.com/pub/unexpecteddelirium/p/the-thursday-spurs-the-foreboding?r=1e4se&utm_medium=ios
8 months ago
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Excellent piece on Manchester United from
@sportingintel.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/sporting...
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I thought Jim Ratcliffe was talking bollocks about Man Utd ... I was only half right
The co-owner of the most successful club of the Premier League era has made some astonishing claims about MUFC and the future in recent days. What's true, or not?
https://open.substack.com/pub/sportingintelligence832/p/i-thought-jim-ratcliffe-was-talking?r=1e4se&utm_medium=ios
8 months ago
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