Brano Signs On

GUY Branston has become the first of Plymouth Argyle’s out-of-contact players to sign up for next season.

The much-traveled central defender, who joined the club on a short-term contract in January, has been an ever-present since his debut against Morecambe, playing in every minute of John Sheridan’s 19-game Argyle reign.

The 34-year-old’s never-say-die attitude and his willingness to put his head in where it hurts during the Pilgrims’ ultimately successful battle against relegation from the Football League endeared him to the Green Army.

Guy, whose new deal keeps him at Home Park until the summer of 2014, had few qualms in extending his deal following a successful second half of last season for himself and the Pilgrims.

He said: “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.”

Brano’s new contract completes a hat-trick of good news at the end of the first week of the close-season, following on from the release of stunning computer graphics of the proposed new main Home Park grandstand and the confirmation that manager John Sheridan has agreed a three-year deal.

Guy does not anticipate looking up League 2 during the new campaign, which kicks off on August 3.

“I’m not signing again for a relegation battle,” he said. “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.”

John said: “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.”

• ARGYLE can confirm that first-team coach Gary Owers has also put pen to paper on his contract as first-team coach.