Manchester City fans are gearing up to fill the Etihad Stadium with inflatable bananas once again in their upcoming match against Ipswich Town. This quirky tradition has been reignited following the resounding 3-0 away win against Liverpool.
The bright yellow inflatable bananas caught everyone's eye at Anfield, where the 1894 fan group handed out over a thousand before kick-off. This lively gesture revived one of the club's most peculiar traditions.
The history dates back to August 1987 when fan Frank Newton introduced a 1.5-metre inflatable banana at old Maine Road during a match against Plymouth Argyle. The fun idea stemmed from striker Imre Varadi, who earned the nicknames 'Imre Banana'. The forward scored 31 goals in 69 appearances for the club, and the original symbol firmly entrenched itself in the folklore of Manchester City supporters.
The return of this inflatable accessory occurred amidst a tense atmosphere at Anfield, with local fans receiving the visitors with deafening whistles and banners alleging 'cheating' in light of ongoing financial misconduct investigations surrounding the club. Against this toxic backdrop, the yellow bananas provided a colourful reminder of City's authentic past long before the club blossomed into a global football giant. While legal disputes raged, the away section joyously celebrated their victory in 1980s style, as the team confidently trounced their opponents on the pitch.
The fans' performance thoroughly impressed Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca, who admitted that his family quickly embraced the trend:
It's fantastic! I wasn’t aware of the backstory to this tradition, but I hope to see plenty of bananas in the stadium tomorrow! I think it creates a wonderful atmosphere for both the fans and everyone present at the ground.
I have four children, and they have already asked me to get them some of these bananas! They'll be at the game tomorrow, so we’ll see.
The inflatable bananas are expected to reclaim their status as a regular club accessory in the home game against Ipswich, adding a touch of vibrant self-deprecation to the team's matches.
