Mystery over fan's disappearance

Concern is growing for a man who has not been seen since Middlesbrough's defeat in the Uefa Cup final.

Gary Cowan, 44, from Hartlepool, disappeared more than three weeks ago after watching the match at a friend's house in the town.

Police have followed up possible leads in Sheffield and Denmark but said they had come to nothing.

They were carrying out another search of his house on Saturday to try to find out where he might have gone.

Dogs left

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "It's a mystery and one that is disturbing both us and his friends."

It is not thought Mr Cowan returned home after watching the match at a house in Chatham Gardens, Hartlepool, on 10 May. His two dogs were left in the house without food.

There have been two reported sightings of him, in Hartlepool and Darlington, but both were unconfirmed.

His mobile phone was last used in the Sheffield area, but not since 25 May. Searches there and in Copenhagen, where it is thought he could have gone to work, drew a blank.

Police said the disappearance was out of character and they said they were concerned.

They appealed for him or anyone else who knows where he is to get in touch, saying he had nothing to fear from the police

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