AN APPEAL for information about a missing man from Mold was heard by more than 8,000 football fans as the campaign gathers pace.
An announcement about 32-year-old Michael Murphy, who was last seen leaving the Convatec factory on Deeside Industrial Park on Wednesday, January 4, was made at Wrexham’s Racecourse stadium during their third round FA Cup replay against Brighton on Wednesday, in which the Reds were beaten 5-4 on penalties.
The appeal followed a YouTube appeal by Wales skipper and Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey, 21, who urged Arsenal fan Mr Murphy to come forward.
More than 5,200 people have joined a Facebook group, ‘Missing Michael Murphy’, which has been set up to find him.
Family friend Annette Thomas said: “We are over the moon we managed to reach 5,000 followers and we’re aiming for 6,000 by the weekend.
“The response has been overwhelming and his family is really thankful for all the support.”
Graphic designer Caroline Lyons, originally from Holywell, has produced a YouTube video as part of the campaign featuring a compilation of photographs of Mr Murphy and information about his disappearance, which has drawn more than 300 views.
Mrs Thomas added: “We want to spread the message as far and as wide as possible.
“Now people who haven’t got a Facebook account but do access YouTube will be able to learn more about what we’re trying to do.
“We’re going to keep going until we get a result.”
On the day he vanished Mr Murphy had clocked on for his early morning shift and had made a cup of tea before leaving work unannounced. His red Volkswagen Polo was later recovered by police from the Flintshire Bridge.
Mrs Thomas said the Yellow Ribbon campaign will continue to run every weekend until Mr Murphy is found. Some users of Facebook have changed their profile pictures to an image of Mr Murphy and a yellow ribbon in a bid to raise awareness of the search.
His family is also encouraging people to wear a yellow ribbon or tie one to their car aerials.
A search of the River Dee has been called off but North Wales Police say they will continue to act on tip-offs.
Officers questioned motorists on the A458 near Deeside Industrial Park between 5.45am-6.45am exactly a week after his disappearance to try to jog their memories.
A number of people said they saw his car and described seeing a man walking along the opposite eastbound carriageway towards Deeside Industrial Park between 6.05am and 6.10am.
Mr Murphy is 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build with short, fair hair, which is balding.
At the time of his disappearance he was wearing a dark grey flat cap, a long dark grey duffle coat, blue jeans and white Adidas trainers with three black stripes on the side.
Anyone with information can call North Wales Police on 101.
- To watch the YouTube video search ‘Missing Flintshire Man – Michael Murphy’.