THE family of an ardent Bolton Wanderers fan have shared their anguish - six months on from the disappearance of the 37-year-old.

James Miller left his home in Warrington at around 11pm on Thursday, December 22.

He headed out into the wintery night wearing only a white t-shirt, grey joggers and blue trainers, not taking his phone, any identification or cigarettes or cash.

Moments later James, who had walked out after a family argument, was captured on a nearby CCTV camera but has not been seen since.

His family has placed posters around Bolton, given his Wanderers connection.

And his sister Emma hoped the Whites promotion back to League One might prompt a fresh break in their search.

His bank account has not been used in the past half a year, and there has not been a single confirmed sighting.

Emma said: "With Covid and the lockdowns it’s not been good for anyone’s mental health, but especially not for James.

“He was a key worker and he was going to work and coming home and going to work and coming home, I think it just got too much for him.

“Normally if anything ever happened, he would come to me or our grandparents as we live round the corner.

“We’re lucky that we’ve got a very supportive family, and we’re all there for one another.

“He’s normally just a fun-loving guy who gets on with everyone – he’s a character.

“If he walks into the pub, everyone knows him.”

His bank account has not been used in the past half a year, and there has not been a single confirmed sighting.

Some reports had placed James among the homeless community in Manchester, but these were never verified.

Searches along the River Mersey and in nearby Victoria Park, including the use of sonar technology and drones, have proved fruitless.

Emma added: "“I was out there looking for him on Christmas Day. It’s been the fastest but longest six months, it’s been a whirlwind.

“You just don’t know what to think and there are so many mixed emotions between us all."