SUNDERLAND have appointed Tony Davison as their new managing director.

Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven have moved quickly to completely remodel the Black Cats' executive management structure, with Davison having been handed a key role.

A lifelong Sunderland fan, Davison has left Tottenham Hotspur to move to the Stadium of Light.

He boasts extensive commercial and marketing experience, having spent more than two decades working in football, and will head up Sunderland's commerical operation.

Methven said: "Having worked with Tony in a variety of roles over the last decade, Stewart and I knew from the start that he was the man with the experience, desire and contacts to implement the vision that we have for the re-engagement of Sunderland AFC with its fans and the local business community.

"Tony is passionate about Sunderland and the fact that he has left a senior executive position at a top Premier League club and taken a lower wage to come back to his home city, demonstrates what his values are."

While Davison is taking on a role with Sunderland, a number of senior figures have been made redundant in the last couple of days as Donald has embarked on a major cost-cutting programme.

Martin Bain has left his former position as chief executive, Neale McDermott has been removed from his recruitment role, and a number of people in the commerical, marketing and media departments have been told they will be losing their jobs. Academy manager Jimmy Sinclair has also opted to retire.

Methven said: "As we move forward, it is important to place on record our thanks to those people leaving the club. Decisions of this nature are never taken lightly.

"However, when we arrived it was abundantly clear that the infrastructure and team that we inherited was not aligned with our clear goal of ensuring each and every opportunity at this football club is realised and maximised.

"This is not a reflection on the specific individuals who have departed, who leave with our sincere good wishes, but on the inflated and therefore inefficient infrastructure that developed over a number of years and the resultant culture which grew around it.

"Fundamentally, every pound that supporters put into their football club has to influence positively its future success. Fans need to see their hard-earned money being used wisely and in the right areas and to do that we have a responsibility to be lean, productive and focussed.

"Ensuring that we are ready for the challenge of League One is our priority and the club’s operation will reflect that aim.

"Stewart and I have moved quickly and decisively to pull together a tight, driven group of people to serve the interests of Sunderland and its fans. We are excited by the opportunity to get this club back to what it should be, and the hard work starts now."