Why do Man City fans have bananas?
MANCHESTER City have become 2022/23 Premier League champions.
Their loyal fans have been basking in the impressive win alongside their trusty bananas.
AFPManchester City fans hold an inflatable banana as they wait for kick off in the English Premier League football match against Chelsea on 21 May 2023.[/caption]
Why does Man City have bananas?
Bananas are an old Maine Road tradition among Manchester City fans becoming an iconic 1980s symbol.
According to old tales, the Man City banana story originated in 1987 during a bleak and dark season for football.
The year saw an increase in hooliganism among football fans including racial abuse of black players.
Player John Barnes, for example, was racially abused by rival fans after signing for Liverpool from Watford in that year.
Barnes was often met with racist chants and had banana skins thrown at him.
In order to bring a bit of camaraderie and light-heartedness back to the beautiful game, one City fan, Frank Newton, decided to bring along an inflatable banana to the game.
The five-foot inflatable fruit accompanied Newton for City’s game against Plymouth Argyle taking place on Maine Road.
Needless to say, it went down a treat and became synonymous with City folklore.
Why have Man City won the Premier League before the end of the season?
City have taken the title of Premier League champions and have done so before it has all ended during the 2022/23 season.
Pep Guardiola side have won this title for the fifth time in six seasons.
This is due to Arsenal’s shocking 1-0 loss against Nottingham Forest on May 20, 2023.
The loss meant it was mathematically impossible for the North London team to stand a chance of winning the title therefore making City number one.
Could Man City win the treble?
A treble in football is when a team wins three trophies in a single season.
Man City could potentially gain the treble if they win the Champions League and the FA Cup alongside their recent 2022/23 Premier League win.
According to BetVictor, the likelihood of City gaining this impressive title sits at 4/7 on City winning the treble – the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup – in the 2022/23 campaign, a feat only their greatest rivals Manchester United have managed.
Bookmakers William Hill have City’s treble title success at an odds-on 8/15, putting their hopes at 65.2 per cent.
Man City’s manager Pep Guardiola has spoken how his team are trying to “visualise” a treble in their future particularly after their win against Real Madrid helping them to reach the Champions League final.
The Champions League final will take place at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on June 10, 2023
The FA Cup Final takes place on June 3 and will be between Man City and Manchester United.
