Former Manchester City player Imre Varadi, affectionately known as ‘Imre Banana’, has seen his inflatable banana business boom as the club faces its Premier League charges verdict.
A ex-Manchester City star has been his banana business boom after his former side were found guilty of breaching 114 Premier League financial rules. However, it has not been bad news for all those associated with City.
Former Manchester City star Imre Varadi, who is fondly referred to as ‘Imre Banana’, has seen his business thrive thanks to a resurgence of the inflatable banana trend from the 1980s and 1990s.
He joined the club in the 1980s, with supporters bringing inflatable bananas to away matches. The fad eventually fizzled out, but has experienced a revival following the guilty verdict handed to City over their Premier League charges.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
City are contesting the decision, meaning the wait for a final resolution continues. If they fail in their appeal, the club could face severe sanctions, potentially including points deductions or even expulsion from the Premier League.
In their first match since the verdict was announced, the away section at Anfield was awash with inflatable bananas. It’s a phenomenon that Varadi has capitalised on, having set up his own company selling them.
“The craze has taken off again,” he told The Sun. “It will be 40 years next year since it began and is ingrained in City’s history, so I’m proud to be a part of it,” reports the Mirror.
“I launched my own company – as now the inflatable business is a billion-dollar industry. And I’m the actual ‘Imre Banana’ who played for City, wore the No 9 and scored goals for them!”.
“To see so many bananas in the away end at Anfield was really special. And this weekend’s game against Ipswich is just going to be unbelievable.
“I’m getting thousands of orders from all over the world – demand has absolutely gone through the roof.”
The 67-year-old is set to be a special guest at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday as the club welcomes Ipswich Town. This will be the first Premier League home match since the verdict was delivered.
“The club want to see the entire Etihad holding bananas!” Varadi exclaimed. “City invited me and my family to the game and are giving us the VIP treatment.”
The forward represented City for two years from 1986 to 1988, before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday. During his stint at the club, he netted 19 goals and provided one assist in 59 appearances.
City were just one of several English clubs Varadi turned out for during his extensive career. He made the most appearances for Newcastle United, but also had spells at Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Everton, among others.