It is often said that to the victor goes the spoils.

And this could certainly prove to be the case for promoted Devonshire Colts who accomplished an unprecedented treble last season consisting of First Division League, Shield and FA Cup titles.

Colts coach Ray Jones is said to be licking his lips these days at the prospect of securing the services of some of the Island’s best talent who are seeking greener pastures next season.

Earlier this week Bermuda Football Association (BFA) disclosed a list of players who have sought releases at the end of the 2006-07 season.

Included on that list is a considerable number of footballers understood to be heading to Colts, who, in winning the FA Cup last April, became the first First Division outfit in local football history to achieve the feat.

Former Colts members Quincy Aberdeen (Somerset Trojans), Lloyd Holder (Dandy Town), Terry Foote (Dandy Town), Cymande Davis (Dandy Town) and Marvin Belboda (Paget) have all applied for releases from their former clubs, and are said to be keen to join a large contingent of players heading to the newly promoted Premier Division club for the upcoming season.

It is understood that Colts management have formed a special committee headed by technical directors Gerald Bean and David Furbert to vet all applicants — whether new or returning footballers — prior to the commencement of the upcoming season.

Colts will open the curtain on the season when they lock horns with Premier Division champions Devonshire Cougars in the Charity Cup at BAA Field in September.

But while the reigning FA Cup champions are poised to profit during the off-season, the same can not be said for some of their Premier Division rivals who could possibly part ways with notable players.

Goalkeeper Michael Higgs and promising forward Gregory Johnson are among a list of ten players who are seeking releases from FA Cup finalists Boulevard, while further across the pond at North Village the enormously talented Keishen Bean and Keith Jennings are also on the move — with Bean said to be returning to his partial roots at Cougars.

Former Village player-coach Dwayne Adams and diminutive forward Reggie Lowe have also applied for releases from the Reds, who only last week announced former team stalwart Elliot Jennings and former West Ham striker Clyde Best at the club’s new coaches.

Over at St.John’s Road, Dandy Town are also poised to lose a plethora of key players, with club cricket skipper Justin Robinson, defender Kingsley Mundy, elder statesman David Lawler, Holder, Foote, Davis and midfielder Jared Peniston having all applied to be released.

Up west, midfielder Chris Moulder, forwards Rohaan Simons and Aberdeen as well as defenders Marcel Dill and Psalm Wade have all requested to be released from Trojans, while the versatile Michael Williams and national team cricketer Malachi Jones are also contemplating joining ranks elsewhere.

Paget Lions have had 13 players from last season apply for releases during the off-season, while fellow relegated club St.David’s are set to lose the services of four players — including promising sweeper Kijuan Franks who is understood to be heading to Cougars next season.

Among the big names on the move in the First Division are St.George’s Colts pair Allan Douglas jr and Mishael Paynter.

Commercial outfit Key West Rangers are poised to part ways with cousins Janeiro and Kwame Tucker while the likes of former Colt Mark Ray and brothers David and Alfred Wolffe are all seeking to be released from perennial powerhouses Robin Hood.