Sunderland have appointed David Jones and Tom Sloanes as their two new non-executive directors, subject to approval from the EFL. 

Jones is a presenter on Sky Sports' flagship programmes Super Sunday and Monday Night Football and has previous experience in such a role, having spent three years as a director at Oxford United.

Sloanes is the commercial director (Exchange) at GVC Group, a global sports-betting and gaming group. He has worked closely with the North East club over the last two years in his role with the Black Cats' principal partner BETDAQ.

Both Jones and Sloanes are lifelong fans of the Black Cats, with the latter having represented Sunderland Boys in his youth.

Speaking to the club website, chairman Stewart Donald said: "We warmly welcome David and Tom to the club.

"As lifelong Sunderland fans, they share a tremendous passion for the football club and bring with them a wealth of football knowledge and commercial experience.”

Sunderland have struggled this season and things have been particularly rocky since the arrival of Phil Parkinson in October.

Under the English coach, the Black Cats have lost seven times and won just twice in their first 13 games.

That record has seen them get knocked out of three competitions and slide down to 12th in League One.

They have three games in five days over the festive period, including two clashes with play-off rivals, so Parkinson does have a great chance to steady the ship and send a message of intent over the next few weeks.

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The Verdict

It's interesting to see that the club are looking to make changes to their hierarchy. Both Jones and Sloanes have experience working commercially and with football clubs, so you feel their arrival should be beneficial.

The fact that they're both lifelong Sunderland supporters looks to be a huge boost as it will mean they can bring a fan perspective to their role.

Sunderland's decline over the last few years has been clear to see, Jones and Sloanes will be hoping that they can help turn the club's fortunes around.