"I didn't get a chance to say thank you that fanbase that was so good to me over a two-year period", were the words of Derby County manager Gary Rowett this week as he makes his much-anticipated return to St Andrews this weekend.

In arguably one of the biggest ties of the weekend for what happened off-the-pitch at Birmingham City a few months ago, Rowett returns to the second-city after he was dismissed by club bosses as they placed faith in Gianfranco Zola to take the team forward.

For some, it will be a return that shows just how important Rowett was to the club during his time in-charge.

At times, he was left to manage mediocre players who were punching well above their weight whilst managing the squad on little to-no money.

Fast-forward a few months and there's a man at the helm of Birmingham, who has been financially backed but more often than not, that investment has been to no avail whatsoever.

Birmingham still have work to do if they're to avoid relegation come the end of the season and it could prove to be Gary Rowett that puts a rather ironic nail in the coffin to his former employers.

You won't many Birmingham City fans who won't clap Rowett when he returns to St Andrews this weekend, albeit to the visiting dugout.

He was well-liked amongst the home faithful and despite leaving on disappointing grounds, most Bluenoses will want to see him do well in the East Midlands, even if it is to the detriment of Birmingham's progress which at the moment, looks pretty non existent.

Whatever the result on Saturday, time should certainly be taken to appreciate, reflect but more than anything, move forward.

Rowett is gone but for one last time, let's give him the send-off he deserved.