'Angela Merkel thinks we're at work': Wit of football fans displayed in banners and chants is praised by academics Football fans are 'very creative' says UK academic Dr Jamie Cleland Supporters often respond to the news agenda of the day, he said From jokes and jibes aimed at rival teams, to passionate tributes to their own clubs, football fans have long used banners as a means of getting their message across. Now a UK academic has hailed the humble football banner as an 'art form', pointing out that supporters are becoming increasingly clever and creative when it comes to devising their slogans. Dr Jamie Cleland said that, while the intelligence of sports fans is often 'downplayed', the messages adorning football stands are just as likely to be witty political puns as crude jokes at other teams' expense. Witty: Irish football fans give their take on the EU bailout of their debt-stricken country at a Euro 2012 fixture The Loughborough University professor highlighted a group of Ireland fans who turned up at the Euro 2012 tournament bearing a flag emblazoned with the phrase: 'Angela Merkel thinks we're at work'. The cheeky banner name-checking the German Chancellor was a reference to the EU bailout of the debt-stricken country, and made headlines during the football tournament. 'Fans respond to the news agenda of the day,' said the lecturer, who has conducted research into football fan-dom. Sports fans get down-played as not necessarily being very intelligent, but football fans can be very creative. Dr Cleland also recalled seeing a sign that read 'MUFC AAA rating' in the stands at Old Trafford in the days after the UK was stripped of its prized triple A credit rating. The professor said the rise of social media meant a clever banner could give a football fan access to a form of short-term fame, as pictures of a popular banner could quickly go viral on Twitter or Facebook. The Art of Banner Banter, a touring exhibition of funny football banners, has been organised by Irish whiskey firm Tullamore Dew. Witty: Liverpool fans pay tribute to their Slovakian centre back Martin Skrtel Topical: Another nod to the financial crisis on a banner at the Euro 2012 tournament Patriotism and rivalry: This photograph was taken at a Russia vs USA rugby game in 2011 'You can never buy our history': Liverpool FC fans make use an enormous banner to make their feelings known Day off: Football comes before farming for Gaelic fans in Donegal, Ireland Telling it like it is: These Ireland fans emblazoned a defiant message across their flag Play on words: Chelsea fans react to Rafa Benitez's 'interim manager' post Pun: Fan banners are as much a part of footballing tradition as post-match pies and pints We are back: Proud Manchester United fans let their banner do the talking in the stands Passion: Messages from football fans range from jokes and jibes aimed at rival teams, to pointed slogans referencing team traitors The special one: Chelsea fans display their enduring affection for former manager Jose Mourinho Unhappy: More fans express their displeasure at the appointment of Rafa Benitez as interim manager at Chelsea FC Pride: Devoted Manchester United fans display their pride in their club's accomplished history In the dog house: A football widow created a message to her other half for the whole world to see