The last time Birmingham City played a home game, on the final day of last season against Blackburn, a large chunk of supporters stormed the pitch to protest against the club's vilified owners.
The fans had clearly seen enough and had witnessed another season pass them by, with the Blues once again escaping relegation by a handful of points. Their last six campaigns have seen them finish between 17th and 20th. It is the embodiment of mediocrity.
The owners, Birmingham Sports Holdings, are regarded by many fans as being faceless - hence the creepy masks fans wore at numerous junctures last term. They have been unhappy not just at the poor form of the team but the general direction and mis-management of the club. The closure of sections of St Andrew’s on safety grounds last season was another kick in the teeth for a tired fanbase.
The Blues play their first home game of the new season against Huddersfield on Friday, looking forward to what they hope is a brighter future. The tinge of hope on the horizon is due to a proposed takeover by local businessman Paul Richardson and ex-Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez going through the necessary checks.
Manager Lee Bowyer has gone since that Blackburn reversal and a number of players have also departed. John Eustace arrived as Bowyer's replacement with a good pedigree as an assistant coach at both QPR and the Republic of Ireland.
To an extent, Eustace has been working with one hand tied behind his back. Recruitment has been limited to loans and free transfers although the acquisitions of Derby's Krystian Bielik and Arsenal's Auston Trusty look canny signings.
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Eustace admits he has spoken briefly to Richardson and Lopez but said on Thursday he had no tangible update to provide. So far Birmingham fans have had little to judge Eustace on. His first game saw them earn a respectable point in a goalless draw at last season's play-off semi-finalists Luton in the season opener.
Eustace's only previous management role does however offer an insight into the type of football Birmingham fans can perhaps expect to see, should he be able to put his imprint on the team.
He managed non-league Kidderminster from 2016 to 2018. During that time he transformed their style of play and even had one opposition boss dub Harriers 'the non-league Barcelona '. That eye-raising quote came from Gainsborough Trinity boss Dave Frecklington, who had just seen Eustace's side play them off the park in a 3-0 win that could and should have been by a greater margin.
“Let’s not beat around it, what a side they are,” Frecklington said. “We knew what they were all about but that was a different level in what we were up against. They are like a non-league Barcelona with the way they play. It doesn’t matter how you set up, we had to change formation three times to try to tackle it. In every position, they are really strong and my team can use it as a learning exercise as that is the level if you want to get promoted."
Eustace would lead Kidderminster to two unsuccessful play-off campaigns before leaving to join QPR. After stellar work as a number two, he finally got his big chance this summer when the Blues came calling.
Matchdays at St Andrew's have long seemed a chore rather than a pleasure. Blues' fans will be hoping Eustace can be the man to bring back the fun.
