Manchester City Fans Revive 1980s Inflatable Banana Tradition at Anfield
Manchester City supporters brought inflatable bananas to Anfield, reviving a tradition that began in the 1980s. The display came as the club returned to action…
Manchester City supporters carried inflatable bananas to Anfield as the club returned to action under the glare of an independent commission’s verdict. The display revived a tradition from the 1980s and gave fans a familiar way to show support amid scrutiny of the club’s finances.
City say they are innocent and will appeal the findings. The bananas were visible in the away end during the match against Liverpool, where the atmosphere was tense after the verdict.
A striking gesture.
The story behind the bananas
The tradition traces back to a difficult period for City. Former striker Imre Varadi told the Manchester Evening News that supporters began calling him “Imre Banana” after a fan waved a banana in the stands. He joined the club from West Brom in 1986.
“I came jogging out one evening and someone was waving a banana. They started to call me Imre Banana and I'm thinking what?! The following game, there were 25-30 bananas and everyone was calling me Imre Banana,” Varadi said.
The idea spread beyond City. Varadi recalled other clubs adopting inflatable symbols, including Norwich with canaries and West Ham with a hammer. He described the craze as something that brought humour back to football during a period when the game faced trouble and public criticism.
City fan Frank Newton also appears in the origin story. The Manchester Evening News reported that he took an inflatable banana to a game after making a bet; a shout of “Imre Banana” helped turn the moment into a fan tradition.
Supporters have continued to bring bananas to matches over the years. The 1894 fan group ensured they would be visible at Anfield, according to the Manchester Evening News, where the display placed a piece of City’s fan culture alongside the more serious debate surrounding the club.
Verdict shaped the Anfield atmosphere
The Guardian reported that City’s return to club football followed an independent commission finding the club guilty of breaking financial fair play rules. City maintain their innocence and plan to appeal. The verdict heightened tensions between the clubs and their supporters before the game.
Liverpool fans gathered near Anfield ahead of the team bus, while police prepared for the possibility of confrontation. The Guardian said the City bus entered from the opposite side of the ground, avoiding the crowds gathered along the expected route.
Some Liverpool supporters displayed banners referring to the verdict. Visiting fans, meanwhile, waved inflatable bananas and chanted in support of City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak. The Guardian reported that the walk to the stadium passed without incident, despite heckling from nearby home fans.
The contrast was plain: the banana display carried a playful history, while the surrounding matchday mood reflected anger over the commission’s findings. For City supporters, the gesture connected the current dispute with an identity that predates the club’s modern era.
Varadi said the appeal of the tradition was its humour. “It's the fun factor, and anything that brings the fun back into football is great,” he told the Manchester Evening News.
The bananas first caught on during the 1987 season, Varadi recalled.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
