Imre Varadi Celebrates the Return of Inflatable Bananas at Man City Match

It was a sight to behold at Anfield: Manchester City fans waving inflatable bananas, and former striker Imre Varadi couldn’t have been happier about it. He described the scene as "brilliant" and felt it really "brought a lot of fun back" into the game. Varadi, who earned the nickname 'Imre Banana' during his time with City in the late 1980s, fondly recalled how the tradition began when fans started bringing inflatable bananas to matches while the team was in the old Second Division. That quirky habit has lingered on, with a revival evident during the club's recent 3-0 win over Liverpool. This match marked City’s first outing since facing serious allegations of financial misconduct, with the threat of points deductions looming over the club. In a nostalgic gesture referencing their turbulent times in the '80s, fans brought back the inflatable bananas as a lighthearted symbol of resilience. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Drive, Varadi shared his joy at seeing the inflatable craze resurface: "It was amazing, [it's] bringing a lot of fun back into the game. The game itself was terrific, but to see those inflatable bananas again from the 80s was a joy." Having joined Manchester City from West Brom in 1986, Varadi netted 26 goals in 65 appearances before moving to Sheffield Wednesday in 1988. Reflecting on his nickname's origin, he said, "Somebody started to call me Imre Banana, and then, the following game, there were 10, 20, 25 bananas. It just grew until every football club had an inflatable." Now, decades later, he is proud to see that tradition still thriving, especially after the recent display at Anfield. "It’s bringing a lot of joy to the game. It's great to see," he added. The inflatable bananas are not just a quirky accessory; they symbolize the enduring spirit of Manchester City fans.