One Sunderland director has enjoyed a 25% pay hike - despite the club's woes.

The Mirror says chairman and owner Ellis Short has overseen a 25% pay hike to £663,000 for the unnamed board member and the sanctioning of a 21% rise in the club's overall salary bill.

The £130,000 rise comes as Sunderland admit they rely on Short's personal wealth to prop up their loss-making finances.

Sunderland tonight refused to comment on which board member had banked the extra salary - and do not have to, because they are a private company.

Short is the senior executive and ultimate boss.