SOME will be fondly remembered at the Macron Stadium, the names of others will make up fiendish quiz questions in the years to come – so whatever happened to the players who have left the building since Phil Parkinson’s arrival at Wanderers?

The next debut handed out by the Whites boss will bring the total number of players he has used in competitive games to a nice round 50 since walking through the doors 17 months ago.

Wholesale changes made to the squad during that time are emphasised by the fact only eight players remain from the first team-sheet he handed into the referee against Sheffield United on the opening day of the League One campaign last season.

Not including Ben Amos and Alex Perry, who are both out on loan and still under contract, a total of 25 have been shown the door, or returned to their loan clubs, so we decided to check what they have been up to.

JAMIE PROCTOR

Brought in from Bradford as one of Parkinson’s first signings but never gelled well at the Macron and was loaned out to Carlisle in League Two, scoring four goals in 17 appearances. Rotherham United spent £75,000 in the summer to make him the spearhead of their attack – but an unfortunate knee injury in August has ruled him out for the season.

DEAN MOXEY

Spent three seasons with Wanderers, arriving midway through Dougie Freedman’s reign, but struggled to win fans over or a regular spot. A bust-up with the club over unpaid bonuses in the summer coincided with a move to his hometown club, Exeter City. Moxey has since made nine appearances and scored once.


LAWRIE WILSON

One of the more surprising exits, Wilson had been a regular starter for Parkinson before a freak hamstring injury in February at MK Dons. After a handful of trials in the summer he was snapped up by League Two Port Vale and has made seven appearances this season.

KAIYNE WOOLERY

Looked a talent in his brief spell at Wanderers but after being sold on to Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee. The youngster did not make an impression at the DW Stadium and was loaned out to Forest Green – scoring twice in the play-off final against Tranmere to secure them promotion to the Football League. He then joined Swindon Town in the summer, securing a sell-on payment for Wanderers.

MARK DAVIES

Suffered a serious Injury just a month into the League One season required major surgery and a long rehab process. Wanderers have offered the former Wolves star all the help he needs as he tries to save his football career.

LIAM TROTTER

Another player who failed to win over the Bolton fans, despite making 63 appearances and scoring five times. The big midfielder seems settled at AFC Wimbledon, however, and is playing regularly.

CONNOR WILKINSON

Target man who didn’t score in 13 games for Bolton and spent a huge amount of time out on loan. Signed for Gillingham in the summer and has yet to get off the mark.

REECE WABARA

Made one appearance, lasting 45 minutes. After making the League One team of the year the previous season at Wigan Athletic, it is somewhat of a mystery the full-back remains unattached.

LEWIS BUXTON

Experienced defender suffered a chronic back problem which restricted him to just nine games for Wanderers. Still listed as a free agent but has also launched a financial company.

JAY SPEARING

Many anticipated the former Liverpool man returning to Bolton in the summer but the club’s financial position plus a surplus of midfielders made a deal impossible. It was a shock, nevertheless, to see him sign for Blackpool, where he has four appearances to date.

ZACH CLOUGH

Academy graduate who scored 21 times in 59 games for Wanderers before a £3million move to Nottingham Forest, which effectively saved the club from going under. His playing time at the City Ground has been limited, however, and having made only three starts this season – plenty of Whites fans would like to see him brought home in January.

NEIL DANNS

Much-travelled midfielder who made more than a century of appearances for Wanderers before his release. Had an uneventful spell at Bury but moved on loan to Blackpool and helped them to promotion. He has since returned to Gigg Lane.

TOM THORPE

Ex-Manchester United defender-cum-midfielder never really found his place at Wanderers, making 16 appearances and scoring once. On Friday he lines-up for the first time alongside Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Indian Premier League for Atletico Kolkata.

VIV SOLOMON-OTABOR

Birmingham City loanee who hardly made a dent at Bolton. Now playing regularly at Blackpool in League One.

KESHI ANDERSON

Did little in his loan spell from Crystal Palace, starting just three times for Wanderers and scoring just once, against Southend United. He went out on loan to Northampton Town, scoring a hat-trick against Coventry, but failed to score again for the Cobblers. He is now at Swindon Town and has two goals in 12 appearances.

CHRIS LONG

Burnley loanee who never quite fulfilled his potential at Wanderers, scoring just the once in 10 games. He is now on loan at Northampton Town, with two goals in 12 appearances.

ROB HOLDING

The home-grown defender’s one season as a first team regular ended in relegation but earned him a £2.5million move to Arsenal, which could eventually be worth £5m. It still looks a snip, with 14 senior games under his belt in the Champions League and Premier League.

JAMES HENRY

Played 30 times in the promotion push but an expected permanent move never materialised in January because of the embargo. Henry’s season fizzled out and after his release at Wolves, he signed for Oxford United.

MAX CLAYTON

Tipped as the next big thing after signing on a free from Crewe, Clayton’s horrendous luck with injuries spoiled his Wanderers career. Now at Blackpool, he has made two appearances so far this season.

WILL JAASKELAINEN

Never broke into the senior set-up – his development affected by the embargo – but now on the books of non-league Nantwich Town, his last-minute penalty helping them through to the FA Cup first round, recently.

ALEX SAMIZADEH

Much-vaunted academy product who turned down a third year scholarship to sign pro terms with Kilmarnock north of the border. He has made three senior appearance from the bench to date.

WELLINGTON SILVA

Brazilian winger cost £500,000 to loan from Arsenal but rarely managed to live up to his price tag. Now back in his homeland and playing regularly for Fluminese.

Some players were also released before Parkinson’s arrival in the summer of 2016 – so what happened to those guys?

NIALL MAHER

Home-grown defender who featured five times for the Whites under Neil Lennon and Jimmy Phillips, and saw red at Cardiff in his last appearance. There were a few raised eyebrows when he was released, and he moved on to Bury. But after a poor spell with the Shakers he is now rebuilding his career in Ireland with Galway United.

OSCAR THRELKELD

Another local lad who looked like he could push for a first team spot. Was recalled from a loan spell at Plymouth and looked the part – but he was not offered a new deal and signed at Home Park full-time. Has made three appearances in League One this season.

HAYDEN WHITE

Former Sheffield Wednesday starlet who never quite fulfilled his potential at Wanderers. He signed for Peterborough after leaving the Macron but failed to find regular football. He went on loan to Mansfield Town and has now signed at Field Mill permanently.

EMILE HESKEY

The big ex-England striker announced his retirement early this year and continues to work as an ambassador for Leicester City, do occasional punditry work and raise money for charitable causes.

STEPHEN DOBBIE

Experienced Scot scored a couple of important goals at Bolton but failed to land a regular place in the team. He now plays at Queen of the South.

LIAM FEENEY

Fans were split on the speedy winger, who had impressed in a loan spell in 2013. Wanderers could not afford to keep him and Feeney signed for Ipswich Town, later moving to Blackburn Rovers. He is now on loan at Cardiff City.

ROB HALL

Talented young winger who failed to find favour under Neil Lennon and was hardly helped by a bonus-heavy contract. He was loaned out to MK Dons and eventually signed for the club permanently – battling back from a serious knee injury. He moved on to Oxford United and appeared in the EFL Trophy final.

PAUL RACHUBKA

Reserve keeper who made a couple of appearances for the Whites before his release. Now playing in India for Kerala Blasters.