greatness, several prominent soccer players are expected to transfer to new First Division club Wolves for the upcoming season.

Wolves coach Dennis Brown wouldn't reveal any names this week, saying only that attempts remain ongoing as far as strengthening the squad is concerned.

But The Royal Gazette has learned that 1996 champions Devonshire Colts have already lost forward Ellington Weldon, the top scorer in the First Division twice during the last five years, midfielder Mark Ray and, possibly, goalkeeper Troy Hall.

Weldon confirmed that he is on the move, claiming to have made up his mind long before David Furbert surprisingly returned to coach Colts after leading Hamilton Parish back to the First Division last season.

"I am definitely going to Wolves and I have heard about some of the other moves as well, but I really can't comment on them,'' said Weldon, who missed most of last season before turning out for Colts' last league game and the FA Cup final.

Other names linked with Wolves are Boulevard forward Kenny Hill, who started out with Wolves as a youngster, team-mate Leonard Hypolite and Nakia Smith a midfielder/defender with North Village.

Brown appears to be leaving no stone unturned as he steps up his recruiting in an attempt to strengthen the Wolves squad for First Division soccer.

After winning the Second Division and gaining promotion last season, he admitted that since he was losing several young prospects to college in the US, he would need to attract experienced players in order to make his side competitive.

Wolves have one of the better youth programmes on the Island and while the future appears bright for the club, there are not sufficient numbers to replenish the seniors at this stage, Brown said.

Meanwhile, former Somerset Trojans and Devonshire Cougars coach Josef Gooden, off to the World Cup in France this week, scoffed at reports that he was returning to the West End club or considering a move to Hotels.

"I haven't discussed any such moves. In fact, I really don't know if I will be involved in coaching a club team next season. I am coaching the Under-20 national squad until August and I haven't made any coaching plans other than that,'' he said.

Rumours that Andrew Bascome had taken over the Trojans and that Kuma Smith of Vasco and Rodney Bascome, a former Trojan, will also move back to the west end club could not be confirmed.

MARK RAY -- leaving Devonshire Colts and tipped to be joining former team-mate Ellington Weldon at Wolves.