Birmingham will start next season in League One. In five years they want to be in the Premier League.

The contrast in the club’s ambition and the reality of relegation this season could not be more stark.

It is a strange situation. While there is anger at an avoidable relegation, fans do believe in the transparent owners, who are prepared to plough money into the club and the city. Yet that positivity cannot disguise a disastrous season.

A 1-0 victory over Norwich could not save them in Saturday's Championship finale as Blackburn, Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday all won.

Relegation was unthinkable after last summer's takeover, which saw seven-time American football Superbowl winner Tom Brady become a minority owner, but Blues now face a first season in the third tier for 30 years.