Imre Varadi cashing in on inflatable banana revival as Man City face Premier League verdict fallout

Former Manchester City striker Imre Varadi is fielding thousands of orders from around the world after launching his own inflatable banana company, with demand surging following City fans’ revival of the iconic 1980s craze in the wake of the club’s guilty verdict on their 114 Premier League charges.

Varadi, 67, who played for City between 1986 and 1988 and earned the affectionate nickname ‘Imre Banana’ during that era, said the renewed craze has transformed his business. The away end at Anfield was filled with inflatable bananas when City won 3-0 against Liverpool in their first match since the verdict was announced.

“The craze has taken off again,” Varadi 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. 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!”

“I’m getting thousands of orders from all over the world — demand has absolutely gone through the roof,” he added.

City are appealing the Premier League’s guilty verdict, meaning the final outcome and any potential punishment remain uncertain. The club could face sanctions including points deductions or, in the most severe scenario, expulsion from the Premier League if the appeal is unsuccessful.

Varadi was invited by the club as a special guest to the Etihad Stadium for City’s first home Premier League fixture since the verdict, against Ipswich Town. “The club want to see the entire Etihad holding bananas!” he said. “City invited me and my family to the game and are giving us the VIP treatment.”

The striker scored 19 goals and provided one assist in 59 appearances during his two seasons at City before leaving for Sheffield Wednesday in 1988. He went on to represent a number of other English clubs across a long career, making his most appearances for Newcastle United and also turning out for Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion, and Everton.