THE WIFE of an ex-soldier stabbed to death as he set off to take his teenage son to a football match has made a heartfelt appeal to the public to help trace a man that police want to question about the killing.

Suspect Gary Finlay, 46, has been missing since January 10, when Graham McKenna was killed in front of his son Michael 14, who was also seriously injured in the broad daylight attack.

Both father and son were about to board the bus in Claughton to go to watch Everton play at Goodison Park when the incident occurred.

Mr McKenna’s widow Gillian, 40, daughter Amy 19, and son Michael 14, made their appeal at a press conference at Merseyside Police headquarters in Canning Place, Liverpool.

Gillian, who referred to her husband as her soulmate, said: “Graham has left a huge hole in all our lives. He was a wonderful husband father and son, he was lovely in every way. We had so many plans.

“Graham was in the army for 23 years and loved army life. He left in 2005, it was then our time to be a family and he promised he would never leave us again.”

Detective Inspector Andy O’Connor, from Birkenhead CID, said they have had only had one positive sighting of Gary Finlay which was on the day of the stabbing on Bidston Hill, near to Tam O’Shanter’s Farm.

Police have searched the Merseyside area including the former World War II air raid tunnels at Bidston.

They have also worked with police in the south of England where Finlay is thought to have connections.

Officers today released pictures of clothing which Finlay was said to have been wearing on the day which consisted of a black Berghaus jacket and black Rockport boots.

He is 5ft 8ins tall with a shaved head and walks with a limp.

DI O’Connor said Finlay has a distinctive look and is the type of person who, if seen, would be remembered - and he admitted he was surprised there had not had any positive sightings since January 10.

“If he was to stay hidden for this amount of time he would need money, food and clothing,” he said.

“We do class Mr Finlay as a dangerous male, that is why we are urging anyone who may know of his whereabouts to come forward with information not matter how insignificant they think it may be.”

Anyone with information should telephone Birkenhead CID on 0151 777 2263 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.