Allardyce tried to sign the French defender from Paris Saint Germain when the Trotters where first promoted to the Premiership but Distin decided instead to move on loan to Newcastle United for a year before moving on to present club City.
The Bolton boss was convinced that he had landed the player before a last minute change of heart saw the strong centre-half end up at St James Park, in a snub which he is still angry about.
"I was convinced I had got Sylvain before he suddenly decided to go to the North East - and I have never forgiven his agent for that.
"He always had the pace and other physical attributes to cope with the Premiership. But he would have been even better than he is now if he had chosen to come here!"