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A group of Manchester United fans pooled in 840 to charter a plane to fly over Old Trafford during the match against Aston Villa with a banner stating Wrong One Moyes Out. The banner did fly over the Theatre Of Dreams much to everyones amusement but it was Moyes who had the last laugh when his team beat Aston Villa 4-1. There have been other supporters who have taken to flying banners as a mark of protest or joy. Here is a list of the top 10 flying banners in football.
#1 Fergie Back In 6/1 Paddy Power
Irish betting giants Paddy Power, who had previously advertised themselves on Nicklas Bendtner’s underwear during Euro 2012 came up with another amusing marketing gimmick yesterday during Manchester United’s match against Aston Villa.
Just a while after the “Moyes Out” banner flew over Old Trafford another plane hired by Paddy Power circled the ground with a banner reading “Fergie Back In 6/1 Paddy Power.” Whether anybody places bets on Fergie coming back remains to be seen.
#2 Jerzy Dudek thanks LFC family 4 support
Jerzy Dudek, who became a cult hero with Liverpool fans due to his amazing Champions League final performance in 2005, came up with a unique way to thank the fans for their support after it was made public that the goalkeeper was leaving the club for Real Madrid after 7 years at Anfield.
On 21st May 2007 a plane flew over the Liverpool skies for a few hours with the message “Jerzy Dudek thanks LFC family 4 support.” The big hearted gesture shows what a great relationship the Polish goalkeeper shared with the fans.
#3 35 years, who cares? 20 points. Venkys 4ever
Burnley fans found a way to taunt Blackburn Rovers supporters on 9th March this year despite not beating their rivals for 35 years. Burnley were sitting 20 points above Blackburn, who are owned by Indian poultry group Venky’s, flew a plane over Ewood Park with a banner saying “35 Years Who Cares? 20 points. Venky’s 4ever.” Needless to say Blackburn fans, who resent their owners, were not amused.
8.Blackpool fans sure have a thing for flying banners. The Championship club made use of a plane with a banner once again during the 2-1 defeat against Birmingham City in February this year.Blackpool fans are extremely unhappy with chairman Karl Oyston’s management of the club and flew a banner reading “Oystons Cash Cow” in protest of the chairman.
#4 We Are Wimbledon
Both AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons have claimed bragging rights over the area of Wimbledon but AFC fans went a step ahead in order to prove their point. During an FA Cup match between MK Dons and Wimbledon held on 2nd December 2012 AFC hired a plane to fly over the stadium with a banner proclaiming “We Are Wimbledon” in order to show their rivals who was boss. However the Dons had the last laugh when they managed to beat AFC 2-1 and progress to the next round of the FA Cup.
#5 Steve Kean Out
Blackburn Rovers are another club who resorted to the flying banner tactic to vent their anger against the clubs manager. Blackburn fans were frustrated with Steve Kean after their club didn’t seem to being doing any better under his management and had voiced their opinion to the clubs owners.
Blackburn’s board went ahead and banned any protests in the stadium as a precaution but that did not deter the fans, who hired a plane with a banner saying “Steve Kean Out” during the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on 5th November 2011. Despite the obvious message Kean chose to be diplomatic and stated that he never even notice the banner.
#6 Avram Grant - Millwall Legend
Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant was the victim of a mean joke by Millwall fans during his stint with West Ham United back in 2011.West Ham were having a horrible season under the Israeli boss and were fighting relegation. The Hammers, who share a fierce rivalry with Millwall, had a chance to avoid the drop if they won against Wigan on the final day of the season but threw away a two goal lead and ended up being relegated to the Championship.
Moments after Wigan scored against West Ham a plane with a banner reading “Avram Grant – Millwall Legend” flew over the DW Stadium. Grant lost his job hours after the match and has had no luck in management since then.
#7 Respect for Nocera and the Ultras
Italian officials had banned fans from clubs Salernitana and A.S.G Nocerina from watching their teams play due to the risk of crowd trouble but the A.S.G fans still found a way to torment their opponents.
Five Nocerina received death threats and feigned injuries 21 minutes into the game causing it to be abandoned. The gangsters of the area flew a plane with a banner reading “Respect for Nocera and the ultras” in order to send a chilling message to both sets of fans.
#8 Rangers FC champions. Three in a row, Perth RSC .
Scottish club Rangers FC found a rather unique way to taunt their arch rivals Celtic FC even when they were playing a pre-season match in Perth, Australia. On 9th July 2011 a plane flew over the NIB Stadium in Perth with a banner saying “Rangers FC champions. Three in a row, Perth RSC’ .
The banner angered Celtic manager Neil Lennon who said “They’re a wee bit obsessed with us”. In spite of the mocking banner Celtic still managed to overcome Perth Glory 2-0.
#9 Oystons Cash Cow
Blackpool fans sure have a thing for flying banners. The Championship club made use of a plane with a banner once again during the 2-1 defeat against Birmingham City in February this year.Blackpool fans are extremely unhappy with chairman Karl Oyston’s management of the club and flew a banner reading “Oystons Cash Cow” in protest of the chairman.
#10 We Are Superior Blackpool FC
Championship side Blackpool hired not one but two planes to get their message across back in 2011.During Blackpool’s 3-1 victory over Watford on 7th May 2011 a light aircraft flew over the field with a banner reading “Poor Little Preston Enjoy LGE 1”.
A short while later another banner appeared with a banner saying “We are superior love Blackpool FC”. While other flying banner incidents received no attention from the authorities this one ruffled quite a few feathers and had aviation officials looking into the matter.
