Hello. Where the hell have you been?

For a club the size of Bolton Wanderers it isn't unnatural for a number of first team players to move on quickly, whether they be found wanting (stand up Mr S. Lee of Liverpool), or have been offered terms at "better" clubs (usually Chelsea).
The records section here at X Towers have been scouring the internet for details on those players that have passed through the Reebok (alas we have come to a time when no ex Bolton players ever played at Burnden Park), and we proudly present the first part of your alphabetical definitive guide to "Hello. Where the hell have you been?"

A:
Aah, now you would expect an article like this to begin with Nicolas Anelka. No, no my friend, there are some others that come alphabetically before the dour Frenchman. Surely you haven't forgotten Bülent Akın, Hasney Aljofree and Mikel Alonso? Akin played exactly one game after he was signed from Galatasary and was then sold onto Gençlerbirliği S.K.. Oh yes, that Gençlerbirliği S.K.
Local(ish) boy Hasney played a number of games for the club in the old First Division before being parcelled off to Dundee United. He is now the captain at Swindon. He is also the only person on Wikipedia whose name begins with Hasney.
Xavi's older brother, Mikel was one of Sammy Lee's "signings" who was let go at the end of the 2007-08 season. A spell training at Swansea was followed by a half season in Tenerife. As a waiter, no doubt.
Nicolas Anelka is a French international who was......oh, you know all that. An FA Cup winner with Chelsea and the winner of the Premier League's Golden Boot. Well done son. Nice bit of business by the club that, even if it nearly cost us our place in the top flight.
Sam Ashton is a goalkeeper whose one game for Bolton was as a substitute for Jared Borgetti in the FA Cup. It was probably at this time that the Mexican realised that his future didn't lie at the Reebok. Now first choice goalkeeper at FC United of Manchester. Sam that it, not Jared.
Błażej Augustyn is a Polish defender who was on the youth books at Bolton. Had the brains to not take up Sammy Lee's offer of a contract at the end of this time at the academy and went back home. Now playing for Calcio Catania in Serie A.

B:
Ryan Baldacchino was signed from Blackburn, which is never a good sign. Why would Blackburn want to sell Bolton a youth player? Did well at Gretna before they went out of business and is now at Bonnyrigg White Eagles of New South Wales, no doubt getting a nice tan.
Steve Banks was probably the unluckiest goalkeeper that Bolton had. Ostensibly the first choice keeper, he managed to injure himself early and never got his place back off a certain Mr. Jääskeläinen. Now player/coach at Dundee United.
Anthony Barness, in this writer's humble opinion, was an unsung hero in the early days of Bolton's current time in the top flight. Hard working and professional, like Simon Charlton, he is now at Lewes, who have just been relegated from the Conference.
Tal Ben Haim. Aaaahhh, the grass is sometimes not greener son. Rubbish at Chelsea, signed by City just before the Arabs took over (not good for an Israel international) Tal is quickly playing for more clubs than Frank Worthington.
Jared Borgetti, after getting over the shame of being substituted by a goalkeeper, is now playing for more clubs than Frank Worthington, currently at Puebla back in Mexico, his fourth club there in two years.
Con Boutsianis, Australian, plays in Australia. Lost his job at Bolton due to a criminal record. Australian, criminal record, who knew?
Daniel Braaten continues to cover himself in cock all glory at Toulouse where he went as a make weight in the Johan Elmander deal. Or Johan Elmander continues to cover himself in cock all glory at Bolton where he went as a make weight in the Daniel Braaten deal. You decide. One goal in thirty games. That's Daniel, etc.....
Michael Bridges doesn't seem to be able to tear himself away from Carlisle where he has just completed his third stint. A modern day Neil Whatmore.

See, we're only at the end of B and it's already covered fourteen players. Tune in soon when we get to C and Vincent Candela's retirement game with Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane on a chariot. Oh yes.