Sunderland's newly-appointed non-executive directors, David Jones and Tom Sloanes, have revealed their pride at joining the club and many Black Cats fans have been quick to call for them to do one thing–sack Phil Parkinson. 

It was announced yesterday that the duo, who are lifelong Sunderland fans, would be joining the North East club, subject to EFL approval.

Jones is the presenter of some of Sky Sports' flagship football programmes and has three years of prior experience as a director at Oxford United.

A commercial director at global sports-betting and gaming specialists GVC Group, Sloanes has spent the last two years working with Sunderland due to his role with their principal partner BETDAQ.

Both Jones and Sloanes reached out to fans of the club on Twitter to express their pride at their new positions.

Sunderland have had a disappointing start to the 2019/20 campaign–rather than competing at the top of League One, the Black Cats are currently down in 12th place and have slipped nine points from the automatic promotion places.

The arrival of Parkinson in October has done little to improve their fortunes as under the English coach, the club have won just twice and lost seven times in their first 13 games.

Think you know Sunderland? Take our Boxing Day quiz to test yourself!

It appears many Sunderland fans have run out of patience with the 52-year-old and have called upon Jones and Sloanes to get him out of the club.

Read the responses of Black Cats supporters here: