Following two successive League Two play-off final defeats Exeter City are now embarking on a new era in the 2018-19 season, as Matthew Taylor starts his first season as Paul Tisdale's successor.
Tisdale left the Grecians following their Wembley loss to Coventry City - bringing the curtain down on his 12-year reign as manager - and Taylor, who was first brought to St James Park by Tisdale from Team Bath as player in 2007, was chosen to succeed him and to build on his legacy.
Taylor's appointment also offers City a degree of continuity as he has also previously managed the club's Under-23 side.
One of his first tasks over the summer has been to replace the players that departed St James Park - including three players who followed Tisdale to his new club, MK Dons (Ryan Harley, Robbie Simpson and Jordan Moore-Taylor). Central defender Jordan Storey's move Preston North End earned the Grecians a fee of £750,000, as he became City's latest youth set-up product to earn them a considerable sum in the transfer market.
Another notable departure was Lloyd James who moves to the Grecians' fellow League Two outfit Forest Green Rovers, but Taylor has moved to find suitable replacements.
The signing of Nicky Law, the son of former Plymouth Argyle midfielder Nicky Law, looks set to fill the void left by James' departure, whilst Aaron Martin should slot into the centre of defence as a replacement for Moore-Taylor.
Former Manchester United youngster, and former Plymouth Argyle loanee, Lee Martin could yet add a touch of class to the centre of midfield following Harley's move to Stadium:mk.
Taylor has, thus far, been able to hold on to last season's leading scorer Jayden Stockley, who netted 25 times last season, and if he can form a successful partnership with loan signing Tristan Abrahams, who joins on loan from Norwich City, or new signing Jonathan Forte, then the Grecians could emulate their achievements of the past two seasons.
In: Nicky Law (Bradford City), Jonathan Forte (Notts County), Aaron Martin (Oxford United), Tristan Abrahams (Norwich City - loan), Jimmy Oates (Hereford FC), Lee Martin (Gillingham)
Out: Danny Seaborne (Derry City), Jordan Moore-Taylor, Ryan Harley & Robbie Simpson (MK Dons), Jordan Storey (Preston North End), Ryan Brunt (Bath City), Lloyd James (Forest Green Rovers), Liam McAlinden (Cheltenham Town), Troy Archibald-Henville
