Brano and Owers sign new Argyle contracts

Plymouth Argyle have followed the three year contract deal with manager John Sheridan by agreeing a new deal for defender Guy Branston (nicknamed "Brano").

The 34-year-old was one of the key players in Argyle's successful battle to avoid relegation last season. He has agreed a deal that will keep him at Home Park until the summer of 2014.

Branston who joined Plymouth on a short-term contract in January has become the first out-of-contract player to agree a new deal.

He told the club's website: “The gaffer asked me to come in and prove myself, which every footballer has to do, and I think I’ve done that.

“My appetite for the game is strong. This is a huge football club – why wouldn’t I want to be part of it? The gaffer doesn’t need to sell this football club.

“I wanted to be involved.”

Branston shares manager John Sheridan's ambitions for the club:

"I’m not signing again for a relegation battle,” he told the website. “Next season, with John Sheridan at the helm and the players I hope he’s going to bring in, it’s going to be exciting times.

“I’m looking forward to taking this club into the new stand era.”

Sheridan told the Argyle website: “Guy did well last year. Hopefully, he’ll kick on and be ready for another tough season.

“He came in and gave us leadership, and he’s a beast when he performs.

“The lads responded in and around him. He’s a good lad – he can get on to people’s cases if they are not doing the right thing and, at the same time, he can put his arm around them.

“He’s played a big part in us staying in the league. He has got to concentrate and keep that standard.”

The Pilgrims have also confirmed that first-team coach Gary Owers has signed a new contract as first-team coach. This follows this week's announcement that two other members of the coaching staff - Romain Larrieu and Kevin Nancekivell - would be allowed to leave the club.

For more information, visit the Plymouth Argyle website.