FOOTIE? IT'S NOT MY GAME; Blues quiz chief 'not interested' in the sport.

Byline: By VICKI KELLAWAY

THE woman who will decide if Everton FC can make its move to Kirkby has admitted she has no interest in football.

Government inspector Wendy Burden has warned witnesses to be patient if she appears ignorant of the sport when the two-month inquiry unfolds in November.

The inspector's remarks came as detailed plans about the inquiry were released - including a list of all 22 parties who claim an interest in Destination Kirkby.

Kirkby Residents' Action Group (Krag) spokesman Ian Morris said: "I'm really happy about what the inspector said.

I don't have any interest in football either.

"The inquiry is not about the game of football. It's about a football stadium being built in a built-up area and the people of Kirkby being pressured by a council which says if we don't have a stadium, we won't have any development."

Everton and Knowsley council are gearing up to fight alongside Tesco to save the pounds 400m plans for a 50,000-seater stadium, superstore, shops, hotel and offices in Kirkby town centre. They will present 16 witnesses to the inquiry which starts in the Kirkby suite in Cherryfield Drive at 10am on November 18. It is expected to run until January 16.

Opposition comes from the councils of Liverpool, Sefton, West Lancashire, St Helens and Lancashire which could present up to 12witnesses.

They will be followed by Peter Fisher from Knowsley Liberal Democrats, Tim Stratford from Krag and a representative from Grosvenor Ltd.

Ms Burden could also hear from the Kirkby Traders' Association, Women for Kirkby's Future, Brookhaven Residents' Association Group and the Kirkby Small Firms Forum plus several residents who want their voices heard.

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PROBE: Wendy Burden leads quiz on new stadium dream for Everton