He's coming home?
'I always felt that that as a player it was my destiny to one day manage the team.
'That happened, and I tried very hard to achieve the goal of Premiership football.
'It's just a feeling that I don't think I've finished yet. I believe one day our paths will cross again.'
That was Trevor Francis, October 2001.
Sat next to David Gold, it was during Francis's farewell address at St Andrew's following his sacking as manager.
It was an enigmatic way to end the press conference, and the chairman shifted uneasily.
It was thought at the time that Francis would try to get together a consortium including pals Jasper Carrott and Jeff Lyne to buy the club. Not so.
Now, with David Sullivan, Golds and Karren Brady regime gone, could his sign-off statement, which we all thought was wishful thinking at the time, come to pass?
Don't rule it out.
The Carson Yeung regime have Steve McManaman and Christian Karembeu as special ambassadors to Grandtop International Holdings. And they will be tasked with similar roles for Blues.
The idea of Francis also becoming an ambassador has been floated to them. Not only could he be of use due to his contacts, knowledge and experience, but think of the PR and prestige it would bring them - they are aware of all this.
Francis covered the Arsenal-Blues game for Sky Sports at the Emirates Stadium. Myself and other members of the local media chatted to him.
He seemed excited and intrigued about the change in ownership.
An from our conversation, it was clear that he would welcome an opportunity to at least talk to Yeung and his people.
We all know that Francis didn't see eye-to-eye with Sullivan and Brady. He has only been back to St Andrew's since his dismissal to fulfil television duties.
Francis isn't interested in managing once more. He wouldn't be a threat to Alex McLeish, or anyone else on the footballing side, were he involved in some capacity.
His passion for Blues still burns bright and he will be there again on Saturday, before heading off for dinner with Steve Bruce after the Sunderland match.
They say it's good to talk; the new Blues owners could do worse than to at least have an informal chat.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum’s view of what’s going on at Birmingham City FC.
Tatts,
Everything that the Yeung regime has done since taking over has been absolutely spot on and they certainly seem to have the PR side of things under control. They must know what TF means to the fans and it would be fantastic if they can find some sort of role for him at the club. Please use your infuence with them to help make it happen
I for one wouldn't welcome him back. His reaction to both the Barnsley (0-4) and Preston (penalty sulk) play offs leave a bad taste. His appointment could well be more devisive than unifying.
I have a sort of unwritten rule that says I never go back to anything - job, an area where i used to live, girlfriend, its never the same second time around. But third time ? echoes of Keegan ? But wasn't he just the greatest player ever seen at St. Andrews - You bet he was !
If he is at the game on Saturday, they should definately see if they can bring him out onto the pitch before the game or at half time. That would certainly get the crowd going.
If a Scouser and a Frenchman who have no feeling or ties to Blues can be taken on, why not TF? He would at least care about the club.