Sunderland AFC report cash boost

Sunderland's new owner is US tycoon Ellis Short

Sunderland AFC have reported a big rise in turnover during its first year back in the Premier League.

The club's published accounts for the year ended July 2008 showed a 144% increase in income, and a reduction in overall loss from £13.6m to £2.2m.

Much of the boost came from television and other media cash - £35.63m compared to about £8m during the previous year.

Increased gate receipts brought in £13.64m, a significant rise on the previous figure of just over £9m.

There was a rise in the wage bill - from £21m to £32.8m - however this remained within the recommended level of 50% of turnover.

At the end of May, United States-based businessman Ellis Short took over at the Stadium of Light after buying the remainder of shares from the Niall Quinn consortium.

He has insisted that his is a financial role only and chairman Niall Quinn will continue to oversee football matters.