David Jones has spoken about his earliest memories following Sunderland and revealed why he holds such a fond affection for the club in his first interview with safc.com.
It was announced on Wednesday that Jones, who is most commonly known for his work on Sky Sports' Super Sunday and Monday Night Football, will join the club alongside Tom Sloanes, commercial director (Exchange) at GVC Group, as non-executive directors.
Speaking about his decision to take up chairman Stewart Donald's offer, Jones said: "I live and breathe football. When I am not working on it, I am watching it and I have managed to indoctrinate my son who is now passionate about football as well.
"I had to make individual phone calls to my mum, dad and brother to tell them what I was doing this weed and they couldn't really contain their excitement to be honest.
"I was a 10-year-old boy after Alan Durban had left the club who wrote letter after letter asking to be a mascot, and yet here I am now as a director of a club that I have supported all that time.
"I just hope I can have an impact."