The bond that ties Ebbsfleet United manager Daryl McMahon with Torquay United is not a deeply formed one.
The Irishman made one appearance on loan at Plainmoor from West Ham United in the 2003-04 season under Leroy Rosenior, but he did have some kind words to say about the Gulls following their 1-1 draw with Ebbsfleet on the final day of the 2017-18 season.
"It's not easy, it's a tough division to get out of," said McMahon, whose side reached the National League play-offs after drawing with the Gulls. "Torquay will obviously be the big hitters; I can't remember a bigger side than Torquay being in the Conference South ever.
"It will be a tough task but if the crowd get behind them, and I'm sure Gary (Owers) will build a great side, if they can keep some of the better players and get some new ones in, I'm sure they'll have an excellent chance of getting out of it."
With only Brett Williams, Jakob Sokolik, Ruairi Keating, Jamie Reid and Liam Davis, as well as transfer listed duo Josh Gowling and Jon-Paul Pittman who remain with the club, are the only survivors from last season's side as manager Gary Owers has built what is essentially a brand new squad.
In goal, Alex Bass joins on a season-long loan from Portsmouth. Bass, 21, will be looking to build on a promising career, which has seen him turn out for Salisbury FC on loan. He also made his debut for Pompey on the final day of the 2017-18 season, as he looks to following the example of current England number one Jordan Pickford by learning his trade in non-league football.
Keeping Bass on his toes is former Gateshead keeper Shaun MacDonald, who hails from Owers' native North East, who makes the move from part-time to full-time football after spending last season in National League North with Blyth Spartans.
Along with Sokolik and the transfer listed Gowling, Owers can call upon George Essuman, a summer signing from Dover, Jean Yves Koue Niate - a physically imposing, powerful French centre back who has spells in England with Solihull Moors and Guiseley - and former Scotland Under-21 international Kyle Cameron, who joins from Newcastle United and has also had loan spells in the Football League with York City and Newport County.
They will be supported by Ben Wynter, who helped Hampton and Richmond reach the National League South play-offs last season, and Davis who will be appearing as right and left wing-backs respectively, if Owers decides to stick with the 3-5-2 formation again.
In midfield, Asa Hall and Ryan Dickson both bring plenty of previous experience of winning promotion at various different levels. Hall helped Cheltenham Town win the National League in the 2015-16 season and Dickson has enjoyed promotion success with Brentford in 2008-09 and Southampton in 2010-11.
They will be joined in midfield by former West Bromwich Albion starlet Samir Nabi, who spent last season at Carlisle United, and Bobson Bawling and Jason Banton, who are both looking to kickstart their careers after joining from Woking, have the potential to provide width when required.
Up front, Williams, Reid, Keating and Pittman each provide Owers with different options, but Owers may be looking to add another striker to complement them. Whether or not the Gulls boss can unearth 30 plus goal-a-season partnership from the aforementioned quartet or any other potential could go a long, long way to helping United to achieve their goal of promotion - whether it be as outright winners of the division or through the play-offs.
After six seasons of failing to finish in the top half in any league that they have played in, the Gulls last managed this feat under Martin Ling in the 2011-12 season when they reached the League Two play-offs, the rot has to stop. United are now at the crossroads just as they were at the end of the 1985-86 and 2006-07 seasons. In order to move forward as a football club again - a swift return from the division they currently find themselves in is required.
In: Bobson Bawling (Woking), George Essuman (Dover Athletic), Ben Wynter (Hampton and Richmond), Samir Nabi (Carlisle United), Asa Hall (Barrow), Jason Banton (Woking), Alex Bass (Portsmouth - season long loan), Shaun MacDonald (Blyth Spartans), Jean Yves Koue Niate (Guiseley), Ryan Dickson (Yeovil Town), Kyle Cameron (Newcastle United)
Out: Luke Young (Wrexham), Sean McGinty (Partick Thistle), Yan Klukowski (Chippenham Town), Jake Gosling (Weston Super Mare), Conrad Balatoni (Edinburgh City), Vincent Dorel, Reece Mitchell
