The football club menu is a cornerstone of the match-day experience, offering fans hearty meals and local specialties alongside the sports action. Whether at a community footy club or a professional stadium, the football club menu often features pub-style fare (burgers, fries, steaks, pizzas) as well as share plates and family-friendly dishes.
This guide examines how clubs tailor their menus from small social clubs like Canberra’s Ainslie to historic venues in Portugal – to satisfy members, guests, and visitors. You’ll learn what makes a great club menu, see examples from well-known clubs (e.g. Guindalense FC, West Adelaide), and get tips for finding menus online.
Understanding the Football Club Menu
A typical football club menu covers a wide range of casual dining options. It often includes:
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Starters & Snacks: Finger foods and share plates such as fries, garlic bread, chicken wings, potato wedges, and onion rings. These are great for groups and quick bites before or during the match.
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Main Courses: Hearty pub-style meals – think beef burgers, chicken schnitzels, steaks, fish & chips, pasta, and pizzas. Clubs usually offer both classic meat dishes and vegetarian alternatives (e.g. a vegetarian burger or haloumi sandwich). For example, West Adelaide’s Westies Bistro features burgers, pizzas, schnitzels and grill plates on its menu.
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Salads & Sides: Lighter fare and side dishes like garden salads, coleslaw, mash or roasted vegetables. Many clubs label options (e.g. GF for gluten-free, V for vegetarian), ensuring dietary inclusivity.
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Kids’ Menu: Family-friendly clubs often have a kids section with smaller portions – staples like chicken nuggets, fish and chips, penne pasta, or mini burgers. (Ainslie and West Adelaide both offer kids’ meals.)
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Desserts: Sweet treats such as ice cream sundaes, brownie or sticky date pudding. For example, West Adelaide’s menu lists classic desserts like sticky date pudding and apple pie.
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Beverages: Alongside food, clubs serve drinks – beer on tap, wine, spirits, soft drinks and coffees. Bars at clubs are usually fully licensed, so expect local beers and wine lists.
Common Categories: In bullet form, club menus usually cover:
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Appetizers: Fries, wedges, dips, bruschetta, small share platters.
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Entrees & Mains: Burgers (beef, chicken, vegetarian), steaks, schnitzels, pizzas (supreme, pepperoni, BBQ chicken, etc.), fish & chips, pasta dishes.
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Sides: Chips, salad, steamed veggies, garlic bread.
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Kids’ Options: Nuggets, cheeseburger, fish & chips, pasta in sauce, mini pizza.
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Desserts: Cakes, puddings, ice cream.
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Hot Specials: Many clubs run daily or weekly specials (e.g. $10 lunch specials, family meal deals).
For example, Athelstone Football Club’s UberEats page (Arturo’s restaurant) lists “Cheesy Garlic Bread” ($12), arancini and bruschetta under starters, while mains include a “Raggies Beef Burger” ($32), lasagna, pasta, and even a 350g Scotch fillet ($45). These offerings reflect typical club fare – a mix of pub classics and Italian-Australian grill dishes.
Key Ingredients and Themes
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Local & Seasonal: Clubs often highlight local produce (e.g. fresh seafood in coastal regions) or seasonal specials. Grilled seasonal vegetables, local beers, and game-day specialties are common.
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Comfort Food: The emphasis is on filling, comforting dishes: think melted cheese, gravy, rich sauces. Steak parmigiana, loaded nachos, and creamy pastas all fit the bill.
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Community Favorites: Some menu items become club staples. For instance, Guindalense Futebol Clube in Porto is known for its francesinha sandwich – a Portuguese local favorite and unique offerings like “Bife à Guindalense” (steak Guindalense style) . Clubs often adapt such signature dishes to their brand.
Example Menu Categories
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Grill & Ribs: Many clubs have a grill menu – steaks, ribs, chicken (often with a choice of sauces). These are usually marked as GF if gluten-free (e.g., grilled salmon or ribeye).
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Pizzas & Flatbreads: A pizza oven is common in big club bistros. You’ll see options like Supreme, Hawaiian, Meat Lovers, or Margherita.
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Bistro Classics: Schnitzels (with options to make them parmi or Hawaiian by adding toppings), creamy curries or slow-cooked roasts (‘dish of the day’).
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Vegan/Vegetarian: Modern club menus list at least 1–2 V dishes. West Adelaide’s new menu highlights vegetarian options (e.g. vegetarian burgers, haloumi steaks).
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Kids and Value Meals: Child-friendly portions and value deals for groups or seniors (e.g. 10% off seniors) are often noted on the menu or daily specials board .
Here is a sample unordered list of typical football club menu items:
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Share Plates: Chicken wings, salt & pepper squid, nachos, dim sims.
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Mains: Classic burgers (beef/chicken/veggie), Spaghetti Bolognese, Fish and Chips, Chicken Parmi.
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Mains (continued): Ribs or steak with gravy, Vegetarian curry, Pumpkin risotto.
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Kids’ Meal: Nuggets & fries, mini hotdogs, small fish & chips, mac ’n’ cheese.
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Desserts & Sides: Chocolate brownie, apple pie, garden salad, steamed vegetables.
Each club’s menu is tailored to its community. For instance, Ainslie Football Club’s menu in Canberra boasts 46 items, combining modern brasserie dishes (like steak and salads) with café-style fare (gourmet coffee and sweets). Meanwhile, Aldinga Football Club’s Sharks Bar menu emphasizes pub meals for dine-in and take-away.
Key Considerations for a Club Menu
When designing or evaluating a football club menu, venues must balance taste, price, and practicality. Here are some SEO-friendly pointers and best practices:
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Variety for All Ages: Offer options for kids, adults, and seniors. Include healthy salads for health-conscious patrons, hearty mains for big appetites, and lighter snacks for casual visits.
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Pricing & Value: Clubs are community hubs, so menus often have affordable price points. Member discounts, family meal deals, and daily specials (e.g. “Lunch Specials from $15”) can boost loyalty. For example, the Aspley Hornets Bistro advertises seniors’ discounts and daily lunch specials, encouraging frequent visits.
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Dietary Labels: Use markers like GF (gluten-free), V (vegetarian/vegan) on menu items. This helps patrons quickly find suitable options. The West Adelaide new menu explicitly highlighted vegetarian options to cater to diverse diets.
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Seasonal & Event Menus: Special events call for special menus. Clubs often run themed nights (e.g., “Christmas Buffet”, “Sunday Roast”), and holiday lunches. (See Ainslie’s Xmas menu below.) Seasonal ingredients (like pumpkin in autumn, seafood in summer) keep the menu fresh.
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Simplicity in Categories: Organize the menu with clear headings – Starters, Mains, Kids, Desserts, etc. Bulleted or numbered lists make it easy to scan. Many club websites and PDFs follow this structure.
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Up-to-Date Online Menus: In today’s SEO-driven world, having an online menu (either on the club website or linked PDF) is crucial. Patrons often search “[Club Name] menu” or use Google Maps/TripAdvisor listings. For instance, the Athelstone Football Club’s menu is available through Uber Eats, making it easy for fans to see prices and items before visiting.
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High-Quality Photos: Engaging images of dishes improve click-through and time on page. (We include one below as an example.) Always use alt tags with keywords like “football club menu items” or “club bistro food” to aid SEO.
To illustrate, here’s an ordered list of steps to optimize and find a club menu online:
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Search the Club’s Site: Visit the official club or venue website and look for a “Food & Drinks” or “Dining” section. Many clubs (like West Adelaide or Aspley Hornets) have pages describing their bar and bistro, often with downloadable menus.
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Check Event Pages: Clubs frequently promote special menus (Christmas lunch, game-day specials) via news posts or event listings. For example, Ainslie Football Club’s holiday menu was detailed on a Christmas Lunch event page.
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Use Restaurant Listings: Sites like TripAdvisor, Google Maps, or Uber Eats often mirror club menus. The Arturo’s at Athelstone menu on Uber Eats is a good example.
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Look for Social Media: Clubs may post weekly or monthly menus on Facebook or Instagram (though not always SEO-friendly, it helps engagement).
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Contact the Club: For absolute certainty, one can call the club (numbers are usually on the site) or email, as recommended by many event pages.
Image: Assorted club menu items served at the Hornets Bistro, including steak, fries, salad, and garlic bread – representative of a typical football club menu. (Photo: Aspley Hornets)
Popular Football Club Menus by Club
Below are examples of football club menus from around the world and Australia. Each shows how clubs adapt their offerings for fans:
Guindalense Football Club Menu (Porto, Portugal)
Guindalense Futebol Clube in Porto is as famous for its views as its club menu. Set high above the Douro River, this club bistro serves classic Portuguese comfort food. Reviewers highlight items like the “Porto’s iconic francesinha sandwich” a layered meat-and-cheese sandwich drenched in sauce – and traditional dishes such as “Bife á Guindalense” (steak Guindalense style) . A TripAdvisor review praises the club:
The Guindalense football club menu also features tapas-style plates (e.g. Lulas com gambas – squid with prawns). The laid-back atmosphere – no table service, self-service ordering – adds to the charm. This menu exemplifies how a football club venue can double as a local eatery with tourist appeal.
Ainslie Football Club Menu (Canberra, Australia)
In Canberra’s Ainslie Football and Social Club (Ainslie Group), the Ainslie Football Club menu is extensive and modern. Their official menu page notes “46 dishes and drinks on the menu”. Highlights include both contemporary brasserie dishes and pub classics. The club’s renovated venue features an open dining area and fireside lounge. Patrons can enjoy craft beers, wines, and spirits, and relax indoors or on the terrace. Key points:
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The Ainslie Football and Social Club menu (often just called the Ainslie menu) covers three main outlets: a brasserie (full meals), a members’ lounge (snacks/share plates), and a café (coffee and sweets).
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Lunch and dinner menus are available daily. For example, the Hornets Café (in the complex) offers sandwiches, burgers, and salads, while the Brasserie serves dishes like grilled steaks or chicken Parmigiana.
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Special event menus: Ainslie hosts an annual Christmas Day Lunch. The event page advertises a “3 course menu (available below) complete with a glass of red, white, or sparkling on arrival!”. It even notes a vegetarian and kids’ menu version. Pricing was set at ~$95/person (guests) for 2023. This Ainslie Football Club Canberra Christmas menu is a festive highlight, showing off roasts, seafood, salads and dessert.
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The Limestone Bistro (part of the Ainslie Group) complements the menu with daily lunch specials and an à la carte dinner menu. (Though the Limestone menu page is restricted, the site mentions “Main Menu” and “Lunch Specials” sections).
In summary, the Ainslie Football Club Canberra menu is designed for diverse clientele: local members, families, and visitors. It combines pub-style comfort food with contemporary dishes. As one reviewer noted, the club offers a “top-notch dining and entertainment experience”. The variety spans from lunchtime classics to special event spreads (like their Xmas lunch), demonstrating how clubs cater to both casual diners and festivity-seekers.
West Adelaide Football Club Menu (Adelaide, Australia)
West Adelaide’s licensed venue, the Westies Bar & Bistro, manages the West Adelaide Football Club menu. Key features:
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Operating Hours: Open daily 11am–11pm, with kitchen hours 12–2pm and 5:30–8pm (Tue–Sat). The Westies name is iconic among local footy fans.
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New Menu: In Nov 2024, WAFC announced a revamped bistro menu: “new food offerings and Vegetarian options”, reflecting modern tastes. Vegetarians will find choices like a veggie burger and haloumi salad (the PDF menu shows these).
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Typical Dishes: The club’s menu PDF (a 4-page file) lists Burgers ($22–24), Sandwiches (steak, schnitzel, haloumi), Pizzas ($21–25), and many Mains: chicken/beef schnitzels ($24, with Parma option +$3), fish & chips ($24), salt & pepper squid ($24), bangers & mash ($24), grilled barramundi ($32), seafood fettuccine ($28), pasta ($28), porterhouse steak ($39), etc. The Kids’ Menu includes nuggets, cheeseburger, pizza, etc, and desserts like sticky date pudding.
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Accessibility: All public can dine; it’s marketed as open to community. The West Adelaide site even invites event bookings.
To sum up, the West Adelaide Football Club menu (via Westies Bistro) reflects a typical Australian footy-club menu: grill, pub classics, pizza, and family options, with added focus on vegetarian choices.
Aldinga Football Club Menu (Aldinga, Australia)
The Aldinga Sharks Bar & Bistro runs the Aldinga Football Club menu for this South Australian club. As their official site states, “Aldinga Sharks Bar & Bistro located at the Aldinga Football Club provides regular meals for dine-in, take away & private functions”. Highlights:
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Service Times: The Sharks Bistro is open weekly on nights (e.g., Thursdays, Fridays from March) as noted on the site. They encourage table bookings via text.
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Meal Types: Menus typically include standard bistro fare – grilled steaks, fish & chips, pasta, and daily specials. (While we can’t see the full menu here, promotions often mention items like schnitzels, seafood, and chicken dishes.)
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Community Focus: This is a local club venue, so menus are priced affordably and geared toward families. They host club nights and fundraisers where the menu supports the club.
The Aldinga Football Club menu thus emphasizes community and convenience (dine-in or takeaway). Its shout-out on the official page underscores that dining here is central to the club experience.
Aspley Hornets Football Club Menu (Brisbane, Australia)
Aspley Hornets AFC (Queensland) operates a large club with multiple dining venues. The Aspley Hornets Football Club menu is detailed on their site:
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Hornets Bistro: A relaxed sports bar atmosphere with a full menu. The site notes the Bistro “offers a range of meals from light snacks through to a steak”. In other words, you can grab anything from finger food to a full hearty plate.
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Lunch & Dinner Hours: The Bistro serves lunch 7 days (12–2pm) and dinner nightly (5:30–8pm), including member specials.
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6 Points Café: Adjacent café for quick meals and coffee. Its menu covers sandwiches, burgers, salads, and sweets.
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Specials: They run daily promotions – e.g. Monday Seniors’ night, lunch specials from $15. The site lists “Lunch specials available daily from $15” and “nightly dinner specials Mon–Fri”.
In short, the Aspley Hornets football club menu is extensive and family-friendly. It caters to casual drop-ins (coffee & cake at the café) and diners wanting a full meal (steak or pasta at the bistro). Their website is user-friendly and links to PDF menus (Lunch, Dinner), showing transparency – an SEO best practice.
Athelstone Football Club Menu (Adelaide, Australia)
Adelaide’s Athelstone FC (nicknamed the Raggies) hosts Arturo’s at the club. The Athelstone Football Club menu (via Arturo’s) can be found on Uber Eats, reflecting their offerings:
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Entrées: Cheesy garlic bread, arancini (two per serve), bruschetta, tempura prawn sliders, wedges, and fries.
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Mains: Raggies Beef Burger ($32) with fries, nonna’s lasagna, spaghetti in Napoletana sauce, chicken or beef schnitzel, and grilled seafood pasta.
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Grill: Premium steaks are available: 350g Scotch fillet ($45) and a Mediterranean plate with chicken or prawn skewers ($33).
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Kids’ Menu: Offers chicken nuggets, mini cheeseburger, or pasta, each paired with fries.
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Dessert: A chocolate strawberry cup dessert.
This menu blends Italian and pub cuisine. Notably, the Raggies Beef Burger is a signature item (highlighting the club’s mascot). The Athelstone Football Club menu therefore suits large groups and families after local footy matches, with prices reflecting an upscale casual setting. Citing directly, the Uber Eats listing says: “Raggies Beef Burger $32.00 …Served with fries.”.
Tips for Finding and Using Club Menus
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Check Official Club Sources: Many clubs publish menus on their websites or as PDFs. For example, West Adelaide’s site links to its bistro menu. Search for “[Club Name] menu PDF” to see if it’s archived.
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Use Mapping and Review Sites: Google Maps often includes menu photos or PDF links under “Menu.” Tripadvisor or Zomato may also list club menus (e.g. Guindalense on Tripadvisor has dish photos).
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Social Media Pages: Facebook or Instagram pages for club bars sometimes post weekly specials or downloadable menus. Look for posts about “Our new menu”.
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Ask Locally: Calling the club’s phone number or emailing (as suggested on event pages) is a sure way to get the latest menu.
Engagement & Call to Action
Whether you’re a member or a first-time visitor, exploring a football club menu is part of the fun. Try something new: maybe order the local favorite (like a francesinha in Porto or a Raggies Burger in Adelaide) next time you’re at the club. Leave a review or share a photo of your meal on social media to support your club. And don’t forget to come back – clubs often change menus seasonally, and staying updated means never missing a delicious special.
If you enjoyed this guide, share it with friends or leave a comment below on your favorite football club menu item!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a football club menu?
A: A football club menu is the list of food and drink items offered at a club’s bar or dining area. It’s typically pub-style – burgers, fries, steaks, pizzas, share plates – but can also include local specialties (e.g. Portuguese francesinha or regional cuisines). Clubs may have separate lunch, dinner, and special event menus (like Christmas lunches).
Q: What foods are commonly served on a football club menu?
A: Common items include starters (onion rings, garlic bread, wings), mains (beef/chicken burgers, schnitzels, grilled steaks, fish & chips, pasta), pizzas and salads. Clubs also offer children’s meals (nuggets, small burgers, etc.) and desserts (sticky date pudding, ice cream). Many menus label dietary options (V = vegetarian, GF = gluten-free). For example, West Adelaide’s menu introduced vegetarian burgers.
Q: Can anyone dine at a football club venue?
A: In most cases, yes. Licensed football clubs usually welcome both members and the general public to dine. For instance, Westies Bar & Bistro at West Adelaide is “open to the public” daily. However, some club events (like finals packages or member-only nights) may be exclusive. Always check the club’s website or call ahead to confirm access.
Q: Where can I find the Ainslie Football Club menu?
A: The Ainslie Football Club (Canberra) doesn’t display its full menu on Google, but it is available through the Ainslie Group’s dining page and event listings. For example, their Christmas Day Lunch page details a 3-course menu with wine. For everyday menus, check the Limestone Bistro section of the Ainslie Group site or call the club. They often provide lunch specials and a full bar menu.
Q: What is included in West Adelaide Football Club’s menu?
A: The Westies Bar & Bistro menu includes burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and a variety of mains (schnitzels, steaks, seafood). Notably, in Nov 2024 they updated the menu to add new dishes and vegetarian options. They also have a kids’ menu and desserts. Operating hours are 11am–11pm, Tue–Sat kitchen service.
Q: Does Arturo’s at Athelstone Football Club have an online menu?
A: Yes. Arturo’s (the club’s restaurant) partners with Uber Eats for delivery, and its full menu is listed on their site. You can see items like Cheesy Garlic Bread, Raggies Beef Burger, steaks and pastas. This is a convenient way to browse offerings and prices before visiting.
Q: What should I do if I can’t find a club’s menu online?
A: Try contacting the club directly (many have contact info on their website). You can also search for the club name on social media – sometimes menus are shared in posts or images. If all else fails, calling the venue’s bar or Bistro phone line is usually effective.
By understanding and exploring the football club menu, you’ll enjoy more than just the game – you’ll experience the local culture and hospitality at each club.
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