Manchester City fans have their own unique way of celebrating (Picture: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester City fans are celebrating their second trophy of the season following their FA Cup final victory over Manchester United.

And along with their infamous Poznan celebration, supporters from the blue side of Manchester are cheering the victory in their own special way – with inflatable bananas.

But whilst the sight of the inflatable fruit in the stands is all fun and games, the tradition actually has its roots in a dark period of English football.

Let’s take a look at the Manchester City folklore.

Why do Manchester City supporters have inflatable bananas"

The inflatable banana tradition amongst Manchester City fans started at their old Maine Road stadium in the 1980s.
City fans have adopted the tradition (Picture: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

The decade saw hooliganism mar the English game alongside numerous incidents of racial abuse aimed at black players.

One of the most high profile cases of racial abuse was that suffered by John Barnes after he joined Liverpool from Watford in 1987.

Barnes endured racist chants from rival supporters and banana skins were even thrown his way.

So, in an attempt to restore some fun back into the game that had been lost due to some of the appalling actions on the terraces, Manchester City fan Frank Newton decided to bring an inflatable banana to the club’s home game again...