Vincent Tan's dream for Cardiff City, pretty much since he took over the club back in 2010, was for home-grown young Bluebirds to burst through - and then go on to also shine for Wales at the home of Welsh football.
For differing reasons, not least successive Cardiff managers preferring experience to youth in a drive for the Premier League, it has taken 11 years of ownership for Tan's wishes to start coming to fruition.
Suddenly, however, there is hope - and, amid the doom and gloom of a relegation battle in this horror season, genuine belief among many fans that the future can be rosy.
Plans for a state-of-the art new Academy complex have been announced by the club and a crop of Cardiff teens and very early TwentySomethings are already beginning to make their mark in the first team.
Others we haven't yet seen, including gifted under-17s front-man Cian Ashford, are looking to follow suit. Tracked by Manchester United and Leeds among other Premier League big guns, shrewd observers reckon he could yet emerge as the best of the lot.
Whatever, a conveyor belt of Academy talent is being lined up.
When has this happened in such numbers before?
During the Eddie May era of the early 1990s, City fans loved seeing Nathan Blake, Jason Perry and Damon Searle come through together. They were a key part of that success.
Like Tan, Sam Hammam shared the Bluebirds-Wales dream. During his spell in charge Rob Earnshaw and James Collins emerged at much the same time. Joe Ledley and Chris Gunter followed a few years afterwards, before a certain Aaron Ramsey then came to the fore.
These players, of course, went on to achieve major things with Wales, and it remains to be seen whether the current crop can reach such heights.
But in terms of sheer volume, the Academy riches at the moment do eclipse anything we have witnessed previously.
Some look guarantees for club and country. Rubin Colwill, for starters, who perhaps has the potential to become the best teenager to come through Welsh club football since the days of a young Ramsey.
Flying winger Isaak Davies, with pace to burn, is another gem of a prospect.
The jury may be out on one or two of the others, but they are already making their mark in a Championship side.
In what has been a truly awful season near the bottom of the table, the breakthrough of so many young players shines brightly as the biggest ray of hope .
Just how good are they and how did Cardiff snap them up in the first place?
This is the lowdown on their emergence and the excellent work being done by Cardiff's Academy staff to develop them.
The title winning team Craig helped build
Everybody within the current Academy set-up deserves enormous credit for what is happening, but we also shouldn't forget the roles played by former bosses Craig Bellamy and James McCarthy who also did their bit to help mould the current class before their departures from the club.
Back in 2017-18, with Bellamy as manager, Cardiff's under-18s won the Premier Development League. This was a rare title success at age-grade level for the Bluebirds.
They went on to play Sheffield Wednesday, who won their league, in a north v south final at Hillsborough.
The Cardiff team of teens that day included Sam Bowen as captain, Joel Bagan, Isaak Davies, Kieron Evans and Keenan Patten, each of whom have more recently been involved with the first team.
Young Rubin Colwill was a substitute, his sudden development surprised many, although his rich potential was always there.
Cardiff lost 3-2 to Sheff Wed, but Bellamy knew the Bluebirds had some gold-dust on their hands.
The run-ins with Warnock
Bellamy is a great believer in if you're good enough, you're old enough, having been given his own head as a teenager by Norwich.
We're told he implored Neil Warnock to pick some of the exciting Academy youngsters in his first team plans.
But that's not Warnock. He tends to believe in experience and there was disagreement between the two men about the way forward.
As such, the Cardiff youngsters had to wait until first Neil Harris, then Mick McCarthy and today Steve Morison became manager.
Whereas Warnock, Harris and McCarthy tended to be route one, behind the scenes these youngsters are always encouraged to play in a more modern pass and move fashion - including in the under-23s under Morison.
This style is built up over a number of years, from the moment they are spotted as young as seven or eight years of age on parks pitches by Cardiff scouts, through the various age-grade Bluebirds sides.
It made it somewhat perverse that the moment they made the first team, they had to play a different way. Credit Morison for bringing more consistency.
A successful system is being put in place and the Bluebirds hope a conveyor belt of talent will flood from it.
Of the recent Wales under-16s squad for the Victory Shield win over Northern Ireland in Belfast, six of the youngsters are on Cardiff's books, including captain and highly-rated midfielder Charlie Crew.
This is clearly extremely encouraging for the future, and a testament to the workings of the Academy.
End to the player drain
There are not many cities that have produced a quartet of players as good as Gareth Bale, Ryan Giggs, Aaron Ramsey and Craig Bellamy in recent times.
Yet, for differing reasons, only one of those superstars actually started at his home-town club.
Giggs' emergence at Manchester United was understandable as he moved to Salford at five, but Bale and Bellamy are Cardiff through and through. Bale had to go across the Bridge at least three days a week to Southampton training and matches, while Bellamy was 273 miles away at Norwich.
This player drain had to end and Cardiff's scouts miss very little these days.
It's been broadened too. Colwill, for example, comes from Port Talbot and was snatched from under the noses of arch-rivals Swansea City.
The key is spotting them early, making good players even better through coaching and guidance and doing everything possible to get them ready for the first team.
This has to be the business model for a club like Cardiff, with such a proven rich seam of footballing ability from the area.
Cardiff need to bring through their finest young talent, see them thrive in the first team and eventually sell them on at some point for vast sums, as the Swans did with Dan James, Joe Rodon and Ben Davies.
Much better surely than money being squandered on some older players such as Rickie Lambert or others Tan will feel didn't prove value for money?
That said, experience is clearly needed at first-team level, you can't just rely on a bunch of youngsters, and Cardiff have to play cute in the transfer market next summer.
The star turns making the grade
Rubin Colwill (No.10)
The cream of the current crop, the mercurial talent from Port Talbot joined Cardiff's Academy at the age of eight before Swansea could grab him.
Although he looks a sensational player in the making, creative, two-footed, scores goals, Colwill was actually a slow burner for a while.
There were sudden growth spurts and it is felt it took a while for him to get used to his body and how to use it.
There was no guarantee Colwill would get a scholarship and at one point it was between him and Sion Spence, a year older and top scorer in the under-18s.
There was one place available. Cardiff went for the potential of Colwill, feeling he could develop, and the decision has been fully vindicated.
At 19, Colwill has already made the Wales team, looks Cardiff's most creative spark and will be worth a fortune to the club if they decide to cash in years down the line.
Isn't that how the Academy is supposed to work?
Isaak Davies (winger)
Another young gun wowing City fans and who helped spark the comeback at Birmingham at the weekend when he was sent on as a substitute.
From Aberdare, he too has been with Cardiff since the age of eight and has played for Wales at the various age-grade levels.
Looks too slight at times for the hurly-burly of Championship football, but doesn't take a backward step. Shows no fear whatsoever.
Has pace to burn and is a direct runner, a defenders' nightmare if Cardiff can get the ball to his feet and in one-on-one situations more often in the second half of the season.
Needs more of an end product, but if he can provide that then like Colwill Cardiff might have a gem on their hands. Certainly possesses rich potential and at 20 Davies' future looks very bright.
Played as a centre-forward at age grade level, but the wing suits his skill-set better.
A Wales call-up is surely inevitable?
Mark Harris (striker/wide man)
He's a little older than the other youngsters on Cardiff's books and had loan spells at Newport and Wrexham to develop his game.
He's fast, works his socks off and takes pressure off Kieffer Moore when he plays.
Another who has appeared for Wales under Rob Page.
Divides opinion among Cardiff fans. Some reckon he should start every week, others wonder whether the Championship is too high a level.
The key to Harris will be scoring on a consistent basis to justify his first team inclusion.
Certainly makes an impact whenever he comes on as a substitute.
At 22 he's the old guy of the current crop, which says everything about the future looking rosy!
Sam Bowen (midfield)
Arrived from Newport at the age of seven, has come through the system and broke into the first team under Mick McCarthy.
Is Morison as much of a fan? Time will tell.
But midfield is a real problem area for Cardiff and they need to address it one way or the other.
Bowen possesses a great range of passing, has an astute knowledge of knowing what to do on the pitch and possesses the energy and legs of youth.
He is more the future for the club than Marlon Pack, it's fair to say.
Chip off the old block, the trouble is that like a certain Jason Bowen, there is a feeling there is a further 10 or 15 per cent to come from Bowen junior in some games.
If he can bridge that gap, he might be part of the midfield answer for Morison, or whoever is Cardiff manager next season.
Tom Sang (full-back/midfield)
Unlike many of the others he didn't grow up through the Cardiff age-grades, having arrived at 20 when released by Manchester United.
That means a solid pedigree. Sang is quick, can pass, and is adept at playing right-back, wing-back or midfield, where he was brought up in the United academy. That versatility is a great attribute.
Cardiff have high hopes of him, whatever position he plays in.
How about Sang and Bowen taking turns in the midfield next to more experienced hands?
Joel Bagan (defender)
Cardiff signed him from Southampton at 16 and Bellamy turned him into a left-back, Bagan having previously played as a left winger and in the centre of midfield.
Bellamy felt the other roles were a step too far for young Bagan, but that he could develop into a capable defender.
Bagan needs to believe he belongs in the first-team environment.
Cardiff hope he can thrive at Championship level, although manager Morison understandably prefers Ryan Giles for the left wing-back role.
Might need to go out on to continue his development, but remember he's still only 20.
Kieron Evans (winger)
From the Rhymney Valley, at 19 he still has lots to learn and development time. But another who has made his first-team bow and will be keen for more match-day squad consistency.
Quick, ties defenders in knots, he has been the most two-footed player in the Academy for years.
So much so that today it is hard to know what his strongest foot even is.
Has been overtaken in the first-team pecking order by Isaak Davies, but will hope to impress Morison in his own right as the second half of the season progresses.
Eli King (midfield)
Has had to deal with lots of niggling injuries which stalled his development, but at 18 the talented central midfielder is another who has tasted first-team football.
From Ebbw Vale, he looks supremely confident in possession, like Bowen he has a good range of passing.
Could he prove to be Cardiff's midfield answer in time?
The ones we're yet to see
George Ratcliffe (goalkeeper)
A regular in the Wales Under-21 team since he was 18, he was so highly rated at international level there were fears Ryan Giggs would cap him for the senior side before he had even made his Bluebirds debut.
Cardiff have preferred to go with Neil Etheridge, Alex Smithies and Dion Phillips at first-team level. Ratcliffe is a brilliant shot-stopper, but there have been some concerns over his size.
It may be Ratcliffe needs to go out on loan to get some regular league action, but his backers feel it's surely only a matter of time before he becomes Cardiff first-choice - and stays there.
Same with Wales at senior level, one assumes.
Taz Mayembe (No.10)
Bellamy always raved about him as one of the star youngsters to watch.
Can play as creator in midfield, wide or up front, the 18-year-old has enormous talent.
But he also has a massive six months ahead in terms of his development.
Seeing others make the first team, Mayembe will be keen to follow suit.
From Bridgend, Taz played for Wales and England at youth level, but despite his tender age he has already made a senior debut for Zambia in a friendly against Senegal.
Tom Davies (left-back)
Impressed Mick McCarthy in pre-season training, has quality on the ball and at just 17 plenty of time on his side.
Did a lot of strength building work during the summer, he could well prove to be Cardiff's future at number three.
From the north of the city, he's regarded as a top defender in the making who could easily go on to shine for club and country over a number of years.
Chanka ZImba (striker)
Has scored goals for fun at under-23 level, the 19-year-old made Morison's starting XI for the game at Preston, albeit he was taken off at half-time.
From Blackburn, this is ZImba's second season at Cardiff - and he was close to being released after his first year.
Suddenly the goals began flying in and he looked a different player.
Morison himself says Zimba has already learned the step-up from under-23s to Championship is massive, but he'll be better for the Preston experience.
Can't really do much more to get his first-team chance, but replacing Prince of Wales Kieffer Moore at the moment is a huge ask.
And perhaps the best of the lot still to come
Cian Ashford (No.10/striker)
Remember the name
From Treorchy, he plays as a No.10 or centre-forward for the under-17s and, we're told, is one of the most sought after youngsters around.
Cardiff have already turned down a six-figure offer from Leeds for the gifted playmaker-come-striker. Manchester United are keen and other Premier League clubs are also tracking the hugely-talented teen with an eye for goal.
Smart move then from the Bluebirds to sign him up on a three-year deal as his development continues within the Cardiff Academy.
Scored the winner as a 14-year-old against Queens Park Rangers' under-18s side. That proves nothing fazes young Ashford.
That goal proved a real shot in the arm to Cardiff and they went on to win the league.
Cardiff appear to have a real gem on their hands here. Ashford could even rival Colwill, a couple of years his senior, as the best of the lot.
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