Co-owner David Sullivan hopes prospective new Birmingham owner Carson Yeung can take the club to a new level as he nears the end of a 16-year association with the club.

Sullivan admits the realisation hit home 18 months ago that many Blues fans wanted a change of ownership of the midlands club.

Sullivan and managing director Karren Brady will leave City when Yeung completes his takeover in the next few weeks although David Gold will remain as chairman.

But the duo insist Birmingham have been revitalised since the dark days of the early 1990s when gates averaged less than 7,000.

Sullivan and Brady, in a statement on City's official website, claim: "Since coming to the club over 16 years ago, there have been many changes on and off the field.

"The day we came to St Andrews in 1993 the facilities were in desperate need of refurbishment and the business was in dire need of stability.

"During our near 17 years at the club we have made tremendous developments. We brought the football club back to the top flight for the first time in 16 years.

"But we realised 18 months ago, when we were relegated from the Premier League, that large sections of supporters wanted a change of ownership.

"With great effort, we have sourced a multi-millionaire who we hope can achieve for the club what we have failed to achieve."

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