Ex-City striker Imre Varadi loves the inflatable bananas waving at Anfield, saying the stunt has put a spark of joy back into matchday culture.
Manchester City's travelling supporters made themselves impossible to miss at Anfield, and one former Etihad forward is firmly on their side. Imre Varadi says it was "brilliant to see" fans waving inflatable bananas in the away end.
The ex-City striker believes the stunt has done more than raise a few smiles. In his view it has "brought a lot of fun back" to the matchday experience, a reminder that football can be silly, loud and joyful as well as tense.
Away ends at Anfield are among the most hostile and atmospheric in English football, so turning up with giant inflatable fruit is a bold way to answer the noise. For City fans, who are often criticised by rivals for their atmosphere, it is also a way to take ownership of their own matchday identity.
Varadi's backing carries weight because he knows what the club means to its supporters. As a former player, he sees the bananas as part of a lighter, more playful side of fan culture that is easy to lose amid the pressure of title races and big-game build-up.
Whether the bananas become a permanent fixture on City's travels remains to be seen. For now, they have a high-profile fan in Varadi, who is happy to see supporters enjoying themselves.
