Torquay United have stepped up their preparation ahead of the 2013-14 campaign by securing the signatures of assistant manager Chris Brass and Player of the Year Aaron Downes.
Brass, 37, worked alongside Gulls' manager Alan Knill at both Bury and Scunthorpe United before joining up with Knill again at Plainmoor when Knill was appointed as interim manager when Martin Ling was on sick leave.
The move marks a permanent return to Torquay for Brass who enjoyed a successful spell on loan with the Gulls during the 1994-95 season from Burnley before returning to Turf Moor where he established himself as a first team regular.
He later joined York City and also managed the Minstermen during the 2003-04 season at the age of 27, which made him the youngest manager in the Football League at the time.
Unfortunately, due to financial problems at Bootham Crescent at the time, Brass was unable to stop York slipping out of the Football League.
After leaving the Minstermen, Chris later had spells with Harrogate Town, Bury and Hyde United he then took charge of Bury's Centre of Excellence before serving as assistant to Chris Casper and Knill.
As the result of this development, former assistant manager Shaun Taylor, who had been placed on gardening leave, will be leaving the club.
Australian defender Downes, 28, who previously worked with Knill at Chesterfield earlier in his career, has committed himself to a two-year deal at Plainmoor.
However, the reigning Gulls' Player of the Year is set to be playing alongside a new central defensive partner as Brian Saah is set to leave Plainmoor as he looks set for a return to his native London.
