Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough
One unexpected consequence of Manchester City being found guilty of breaking the Premier League's financial rules has been the emergence of inflatable bananas in the stands.
When the club travelled to Liverpool in the first game after the verdict, their fans could be seen waving the yellow inflatables in the away end at Anfield. It can all be dated back to August 1987, when City fan Frank Newton took a five-foot inflatable banana to Maine Road. He was simply trying to lift the mood amid a difficult period for the team from Manchester.
At the time, Imre Varadi was on the Man City books and as the craze took hold, he was jokingly dubbed ‘Imre Banana.’ Things peaked on Boxing Day in 1988, when more than 10,000 fans visited Stoke City's Victoria Ground with blow-up bananas. City players even responded by running onto the pitch with the yellow fruit inflatables before kick-off.
Now nearly 40 years on, the bananas are back in fashion, and it's been good news for Varadi.
Imre Varadi Opened Business Selling Inflatable Bananas 18 Months Ago
REUTERS/Phil Noble
Varadi played for Man City from 1986 to 1988. Despite the club struggling at the time, the striker was a very reliable goalscorer, bagging 31 goals in 81 appearances (and 13 of those came as a sub).
His popularity is said to have been a key inspiration behind the inflatable craze, and the Englishman has cashed in on that in retirement. Indeed, he now sells the bananas on his website for £10, while related t-shirts and pins can also be purchased.
The company's website explains that the bananas became "a beloved symbol of camaraderie and lightheartedness in stadiums across the globe" and are "designed to be the perfect addition to any matchday experience".
With City fans bringing the past craze back into fashion over the last few weeks, Varadi has explained that business is suddenly booming. The 67-year-old was even given an invite to watch Man City's 3-2 win over Ipswich Town at the Etihad on Saturday. As per the Sun, he explained:
Manchester City's players huddle before the match vs Ipswich Town
Manchester City's players huddle before the match vs Ipswich Town
Phil Foden Appears With Banana After Win Over Ipswich
Although most at Man City will be worried by the guilty charges, the timing has been admittedly good for Varadi. After all, he set up his new business just 18 months ago, and now the inflatable bananas are suddenly as popular as they were in the 1980s.
Phil Foden even appeared with one in his post-game interview, having scored in the win over Ipswich. Although that didn't go down well with TV presenter and Arsenal fan Piers Morgan, who stated: “City’s players and fans seem to find the fact their club’s been found guilty of the worst cheating in football history a real lark. Very odd mindset.”
Former City star Varadi, however, seems to be revelling in the moment. He appeared on Ian Cheeseman's Forever Blue vlog, stating: "It's unbelievable, isn't it? Just to see, especially at Anfield last Sunday, when they turned up and there was a sea of yellow bananas.
"What it's done has, it's galvanised the fans with the players and the club and there's a lot of support there at the moment."
He added that the bananas represent "joy, happiness, fun and a winning team that City keep producing here at the Etihad Stadium".