October 17 has been announced as the date on which the takeover of Birmingham Cty FC will be completed by Chinese owners Trillion Trophy Asia. That will be 1937 days since June 29, 2011, the day that Carson Yeung was arrested on money laundering charges.  According to timeanddate.com that can also be expressed as: 5 years, 3 months, 18 days or 167,356,800 seconds.

It is good news that the end of the protracted takeover is in sight. The uncertainty, however, has not ended. Chinese investment in West Midlands football is related to China’s relationship with Britain and their ambition to become a world footballing power. Its purpose is to benefit China and the new owners. Only time will tell if it will also be of benefit to the supporters of the clubs that have been bought.