Two of the Island's biggest soccer clubs will be hit hard by the departure of prominent players next season.

Bermuda Football Association yesterday announced the names of 115 players who are seeking releases from their current clubs, including 61 from the Premier Division.

Suffering most are Southampton Rangers, who were relegated from the Premiership last season, and FA Cup champions Devonshire Colts.

Rangers will be losing 13 players if the requests are approved while Colts will have 12 leaving their ranks.

Many of the Rangers players are experienced and had been expected to move on following the club's demise, but those seeking to part company with Colts have likely surprised the club with their decision to play elsewhere.

Outstanding forward Marvin Belboda, who proved to be a hero several times coming off the bench for Colts last season, is among those wanting a change. Others from the same club hoping to leave are Jahmal Samuels, Quincy Aberdeen, Vic Ball, Melchisedec Gibbons, Armell Thomas and Tito Smith.

It's still not known which clubs the bulk of the Colts' players are hoping to join, although there has been speculation that the majority will switch to Somerset Trojans, where it is believed former Bermuda Football Association Technical Director Clyde Best and current senior national squad coach Mark Trott have had some influence in the choice of new faces. Both Best and Trott have been linked with the west end club during the close season.

Those seeking to leave Southampton's ranks are Janeiro Tucker, Rohaan Simons, Sheridan (Baldy) Ming, Craig Darrell, Randy Darrell, Ascento Russell, Kwame Tucker and Travis Wilkinson.

While several of those could also be heading west to the Trojans, Cup Match record-breaker Janeiro Tucker is reported to be going to Premier Division champions Dandy Town to team up with coach Andrew Bascome.

According to the release list, Wolves will also be hard hit with Nakia Smith, used primarily as a striker last season, among those keen to change his jersey. Others requesting moves are Albert Caisey, Shaki Crockwell, Cory Smith, Leroy Stevens, Clinton Caisey, Khari Sharrieff and Leonard Hypolite who didn't play much last season.

Dandy Town also have some players seeking to move on, including young forward Raymond Beach and midfielder Kuma Smith.

Others Premier clubs appear to have kept departures down to a minimum, PHC among them.

McLee Smith and Roderick Lewis are the only players of note who are seeking moves from the Zebras, while North Village will also retain the services of most of last year's squad. Only Richard Wilson is among the more recognised players lining up for a switch.

While Somerset will likely pick up a number of new faces, among those wanting to head out are Rodney Bascome, Andrew Hendrickson and Galvin Butterfield.

Full release list

- see Scoreboard