Townsley, Inglis arrive at Annan

Inglis in action for Annan during a recent friendly match

Annan Athletic have made a double raid on Unibond League outfit Workington Reds to sign Derek Townsley as player/manager plus defender Alan Inglis.

The 35-year-old Townsley was last in Scottish football with Gretna before heading for Workington in January 2007.

Defender Townsley started his career with Carlisle before heading for Queen of the South, Motherwell, Hibernian and Oxford then three years with Gretna.

The 22-year-old Inglis spent a season with Workington after leaving Gretna.

Now he and Townsley have returned north of the Border to the club that have replaced Gretna in the Scottish Football League.

Defender Stuart Hill, who has been with Annan for two seasons, is the latest existing squad member to sign a new deal with the Division Three newcomers.

But manager Harry Cairney says his team building is not over and hopes to further add to his squad.

We had promised contracts to most of the guys thinking we would still be in the East of Scotland League Annan Athletic manager Harry Cairney

However, the former Brechin City defender admits that he is running out of time to have his squad at the strength necessary for the challenge of senior football.

"Having the team properly ready for the start of the season is a big ask," Cairney told BBC Sport.

"We'll have 16-20 players, but whether that is strong enough for Division Three is another matter.

"We are two weeks behind schedule as we were preparing for a 9 August start in the East of Scotland League."

Annan face a baptism of fire on 26 July when they make their debut in the Challenge Cup away to First Division outfit Clyde.

It will also mark Cairney's return to the senior game, having returned for a second spell as Annan boss three years ago after losing his job with Arbroath.

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But he has resisted a cull of the players who finished seventh in the east league last season.

"We had promised contracts to most of the guys thinking we would still be in the East of Scotland League," said Cairney.

"The goalposts have changed, but we have decided to show loyalty to them and it is up to them to prove they can make the step up."