STOKE Gabriel & Torbay Police announced their new 1st XI manager on Sunday, May 31.

Former Newton Abbot Spurs boss Connor Marshall has stepped into the hotseat in something of a switcheroo.

Marshall took over at The Rec ahead of the 2025/26 season and despite enjoying a solid time in charge, the two parties parted ways back in January.

He wrote on social media: “This decision comes down to the club and I moving in different directions.

“While I fully respect the ambitions and vision of the club, I ultimately felt it was no longer a direction that aligned with me as a manager and how I wanted things to go.”

This matched up to Spurs’ own posts and they turned to Marc Revell, Marshall’s predecessor, to step back in for the remainder of the campaign.

Talking of predecessors and Newton Spurs will be led by Matt Hayden and Sam Biscoe in 2026/27, the duo who were at Stoke’s helm last year.

Biscoe had been involved with the Bees for four years but said that “Now is the time to step away from the club due to life, work and family commitments.”

He has laid a solid foundation at Broadley Lane in his time there which Marshall can now add his own imprint to.

Accompanying the 27-year-old at Stoke is Darren “Ravo” Raven, the pair having worked together at Spurs.

Alongside the club’s announcement of the new manager, their chairman Ben Norton penned a few words.

“This appointment is about far more than the first team”, he wrote.

“As a club, we are building for the future. We want a clear identity, a strong pathway and a culture that gives opportunities to local players while maintaining high standards throughout the club.

“Connor shares that vision completely. He is ambitious, enthusiastic and hardworking, and understands the importance of developing players, winning football matches and helping the club progress.

“With Darren joining him, we feel we are putting a strong football structure in place around the first team. There is a real energy around the club at the moment and these appointments are another important step forward.”

During his time at Spurs, Marshall spoke about his desire to help develop players and although his reign may have been brief, young duo Toby Hard and Coby White moved on to play for Buckland Athletic and versatile fullback Tyler Joint jumped up to step four with Brixham AFC.

It will be fascinating to watch the two league clashes between Stoke and Spurs as both management teams will be having reunions of their own.