During the 3-0 victory against Liverpool on 11/10, the Manchester City fan section at Anfield was filled with yellow inflatable plastic bananas. This unique symbol of their fan culture originated in the 1987-1988 season, when "The Citizens" were playing in the English First Division.

This phenomenon may be linked to Manchester City's ongoing financial fair play allegations spanning nine seasons, which could result in points deductions or even relegation. The actions of the "blue-shirted" fans thus serve as a message, demonstrating their readiness to confront any potential risks facing the club.

Haaland celebrates a goal with the Manchester City fan section behind him, during the Liverpool – Manchester City match at Anfield, Liverpool, England on 11/10. Photo: Reuters

Haaland celebrates a goal with the Manchester City fan section behind him, during the Liverpool – Manchester City match at Anfield, Liverpool, England on 11/10. Photo: Reuters

While the true origin remains debated, the yellow inflatable bananas were inspired by former Manchester City forward Imre Varadi. He joined from West Brom in 1986 and quickly won the affection of fans, contributing one-fourth of the team's total goals in the 1986-1987 season. Despite his efforts, the Maine Road (Manchester City's former home ground) team still suffered relegation.

The following season, in november 1987 during a home game, Varadi was warming up when he was surprised by a fan in the stands shouting his name and waving a banana. "I was warming up and saw someone in the stands waving a banana. They started calling me 'Imre Banana', and I was like, 'What's going on?!'," the former striker, now 67 years old, once shared with the English newspaper Manchester Evening News. "By the next game, there were around 25 to 30 inflatable bananas, and everyone was chanting 'Imre Banana'."

From that moment, Manchester City fans affectionately nicknamed Varadi "Imre Banana" and even created a dedicated chant. In subsequent matches, they began bringing inflatable plastic bananas to the stadium. This tradition flourished throughout the 1980s and 1990s, creating a craze that spread to fans of other clubs.

"Norwich had inflatable canaries, West Ham had inflatable hammers. This fan trend really took off that season, and the craze still resonates today," Varadi said. "I don't know if it was because fans couldn't pronounce 'Varadi,' but it's a memory I am very proud of. Even when the club built new tiers of seating at the Etihad Stadium, the banana image still appeared on billboards."

Cherki celebrates a goal near the Manchester City fan section, during the Liverpool – Manchester City match at Anfield, Liverpool, England on 11/10. Photo: Reuters

Cherki celebrates a goal near the Manchester City fan section, during the Liverpool – Manchester City match at Anfield, Liverpool, England on 11/10. Photo: Reuters

Before the recent away match at Anfield, the English newspaper Mirror reported that Manchester City's 1894 fan group distributed inflatable plastic bananas to its members. Dante Friend, a member of the group, stated: "Initially, it was just one guy in the stands calling Imre Varadi 'Imre Banana'. By the next game, a person named Frank Newton brought an inflatable banana, and then everyone followed suit."

"At a time when hooliganism was rampant across English football grounds, this image brought a fresh, humorous, lighthearted spirit," Friend continued. "They had no interest in fighting. Most fans just wanted to have fun. At that time, the team was performing very poorly and playing in the First Division. So, this trend emerged, bringing laughter."

"As Manchester City is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the Premier League over financial fair play allegations, facing questions about the team's future and potential sanctions—including the prospect of relegation—the club's fans simply want to rediscover the joy they felt in the past," the Mirror commented.

By Ha Phuong