NEWTON Abbot Spurs’ new 1st XI manager Matt Hayden has called on some familiar faces to build out the squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Hayden was working alongside Sam Biscoe at Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police last year and their partnership will continue at The Rec this time around.

Centre-back Jordan Thomas was the first new arrival announced, one of a few players that they coached at Stoke.

Thomas departed the Bees for Bovey Tracey AFC at the beginning of 2025/26 and actually scored a towering header as Bovey beat Spurs 2-0.

By the time that those two rivals met again in mid-October, Thomas had moved on from the Moorlanders and ended up back at Stoke Gabriel.

The Spurs boss described Thomas as “A top defender for this level” with Jesse Howe also being added to the ranks.

Howe, like Thomas, has played for Bovey and Stoke recently and his “commitment and character around the place is definitely something we needed.”

Another Jordan has signed on the dotted line in the form of Jordan Hogan and in Matt Hayden’s words, he “signs for the club carrying a wealth of experience at this level whilst having not just the quality but the hunger and desire to succeed.”

Last but not least is Tom Burt, a dynamic winger who suffered a nasty injury last year and was sidelined for a lengthy period of time.

There is a certain, unfortunate irony that his collarbone injury was sustained against Newton Spurs- he played in four of the first five games and didn’t appear again for Stoke Gabriel.

Hayden is ‘delighted’ with the signing and labelled him as “a fullback’s worst nightmare.”

This quartet of acquisitions accompanying an already strong squad is a very promising start to Hayden and Biscoe’s tenure.