ask assistant coach David Furbert and he will tell how their ascendancy actually started more than a decade ago.

At that time many of the current batch were bright-eyed adolescents starring among the junior leagues, most as members of Devonshire Colts Orange, a team revered throughout the Island as one of the best youth sides off the day.

Year in and year out, Orange ranked at or near the top of the division, with Furbert playing a key role in their development as they passed from mini-minor to minor, bantam and premier until they finally arrived at the senior level.

And Furbert pointed to a key aspect, one which had little to do with skill or natural ability, but had everything to do with strong mental capacity and intestinal fortitude.

"Most of these guys helped to build reputations when they were called Devonshire Colts Orange. That was established way back when they were nine or 10 and most of the kids that came through played for the Orange which had a characteristic that once they were down that's when they were most dangerous,'' explained Furbert after Colts close out the First Division season with a 5-0 drubbing of Devonshire Cougars on Sunday.

"This is the first time I've seen it since, it's come straight through and resurfaced again, because we've been most dangerous this season when we've been down or there's been scrutiny like when we've had players in (Bermuda Regiment boot) camp.

Also overcome were internal squabbles early on during the season when players clashed with Furbert and head coach Vic Ball over methods, resulting in suspensions.

Furbert admitted to friction between the sides, but said once players realised the changes were for a common good that they learned to accept them.

"A lot of people don't realise it but a lot of this success really started in the Kenny Thompson tournament,'' said Furbert, a rugged defender in his playing days. "We discussed it and we felt that we needed to attempt things in that tournament that we would actually attempt during the season.'' It was a season Furbert was not supposed to see, having taken off from his home in Florida in mid-October, leaving his wife and children for what was supposed to be a couple of weeks. However, a few weeks evolved into a five-month odyssey culminating in a league championship -- and Furbert does not regret staying one bit. Now there are rumours that he may even take over head coaching duties for next season. However, Furbert, while not completely shutting the door, termed the rumours as mere talk.