Here is why Manchester City fans love inflatable bananas and the meaning of the banana celebration as the club wins its fourth consecutive Premier League title
At the Etihad Stadium, it was a momentous day as the squad overcame West Ham United 3-1 to win the Premier League title for the first time in four years. Joyous scenes transpired after that.
City led the season’s last match for the sixth time in seven years and knew that victory over West Ham United would secure the title and they did it yet again.
Meanwhile, the Sky Blues supporters waved inflatable bananas and light blue smoke flares in celebration of Rodri’s third goal against West Ham United. This celebration is familiar. But why do fans love this? Let us find out.
Explained why do Manchester City celebrate with inflatable bananas and meaning of the banana celebration
Vamos lá, muitos perguntam o por que das bananas e todo ano de comemoração o clube oferece banana infláveis.
Historia um pouco longa mais vale a pena seguir o thread.
Em 1987 a Inglaterra sofria um dos piores momentos de convívio social e com os Hooligans. Varias torcidas… pic.twitter.com/UBnK68QMTJ
— Renato Schubiger (@Renathuu) May 23, 2023
Here is why Manchester City fans love inflatable bananas
Sometimes fans will embrace unusual items, chants, or songs; even those who find them enjoyable are probably not aware of the background of their obsessions.
Maybe because of booze, an inflatable, and a somewhat strange last name, Man City fans have been adding bananas to their fervour for the past forty years. Bananas became a classic symbol of the 1980s, an enduring Maine Road custom among Manchester City supporters.
The Man City banana story is said to have begun in 1987, a gloomy year for football. The year saw a rise in football fan hooliganism, which included racist taunts directed at African American players.
For example, after joining Liverpool from Watford that year, player John Barnes was subjected to racist taunts from rival supporters. Racist taunts and banana skins were frequently directed at Barnes.
Frank Newton, a City supporter, brought an inflatable banana to the game to bring back some of the pleasure and camaraderie that used to be prevalent in the beautiful game.
Newton was accompanied by the five-foot inflatable fruit at City’s Maine Road game against Plymouth Argyle. And since then, it has become kind of a tradition for the fans to celebrate the victories with bananas.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has won 17 trophies as Manchester City’s manager in his eight years in that role. He might win his 18th team trophy when City plays Manchester United in the FA Cup final.