Keyworth United

You must have come in a taxi

From Nottingham - Travel on the A606 through Tollerton for 2.3 miles, passing the Total garage & two sets of traffic lights, then turn right onto Platt Lane (signed Keyworth & BGS). Ground is on the right hand side shortly after you have passed under the railway bridge. Do not be fooled by the 'Keyworth Normanton Playing Fields' sign. You're at the right place.

From A46 - Travel on the A46 towards and turn left onto the A606 towards Nottingham. Continue on the A606 for 3 miles, turning left at Normanton on the Wolds (signposted to Keyworth & the B.G.S.). Ground is on the right hand side shortly after you have passed under the railway bridge. Do not be fooled by the 'Keyworth Normanton Playing Fields' sign. You're at the right place.

From Loughborough - Take the A60 from Loughborough towards Nottingham turning right after passing through Bunny. Continue over the staggered junction towards Keyworth. At the T junction in the village, turn left and follow the road down the hill for a mile (past Costcutters) and round the next left bend. As you exit the village you will see a bollard on a bend that goes left, turn right at this junction and then left after 50 yards onto Platt Lane. The ground is 0.5 miles down the road on the left. Do not be fooled by the 'Keyworth Normanton Playing Fields' sign. You're at the right place.

TrentBarton Keyworth Connection (Nottm Broadmarsh Bus Station - Keyworth), Dunn Line No.s 29 (Nottm - Keyworth) & 63 (Nottm - Bingham), Walters Premier Travel (Nottm - Leicester) all stop near Platt Lane. Do not be fooled by the 'Keyworth Normanton Playing Fields' sign. You're at the right place.

Nottingham Midland - 5 miles

For a map of the location, Click here.

My garden shed is bigger than this

Any visitors who haven’t been to Platt Lane before, be warned! Even though it might be a beautiful sunny day wherever you are travelling from, it’s almost guaranteed that upon your arrival there will be a bitterly cold wind ready to greet you the moment that you step out of the car on the vast open plains of the Keyworth Normanton Playing Fields.

The Platt Lane complex is a vast array of open playing fields necessary to accommodate United's the rapidly expanding set up, with 12 teams currently being run by the Club over two sites. The other site, at the Rectory in the centre of Keyworth, was the original base for the first team back in the 1970's.

Such is their ambition to bring through more young players, United became a development centre for Leicester City in 2001. In 2004, United celebrated it’s centenary, and quite a century it was. Several of those who've donned the Green shirt have gone on to play professional football, including Bristol City legend John Galley and local heroes Frank Wignall, Sammy Chapman, David Riley, Brian Stubbs and, most impressively of all, the Manager of the New Zealand national team, Mick Waite.

It is a pity the pitchside facilities do not quite live up to the proud history. Running along the south side of the main pitch are two contrasting dug outs, one made of concrete, the other of corrugated boarding. With no in-built seating contained within, players and staff are provided with their own chairs. With barely room for four people within each, the warmth of the clubhouse usually appeals over the harsh Platt Lane breeze to all but the bravest of souls. It has to be said that neither of these dug outs are particularly pleasing on the eye. However, the Club have made a effort to disguise their presence. The corrugated dug out has been decked out in Keyworth green, whilst the concrete number is shielded by a privet hedge.

As you approach the site, you will drawn to the four rusting floodlights to the south of the complex. Each of these holds two clusters each, and are used to illuminate the mini-pitch areas next to the road. If you are approaching from the A606, just before the floodlights come into view, you will travel under a bridge. This bridge holds Virgin's trains test track, upon which Richard Branson tested his Pendolino tilting trains amid much protest from the locals. The testing track runs directly adjacent to the Platt Lane playing fields, hence the noise from the trains rolled into the village quite easily.

The Platt Lane complex, including the Clubhouse and attached changing areas, were open in 1979 by the Mayor of the French border town of Feignies, Keyworth's twin town. Besides the Official's changing area is a plaque commemorating the event. Attached to the large, partially mahogany clad Clubhouse is a large perplex canapé held up by seven metal posts. This provides the only cover at the Ground, as there are no other areas for spectators barring pitch side. With it's large windows, and its licensed bar on match days, the facility provides some welcome relief from the elements. However, it appears that its days could be numbered. In the 1950's the windmill from which United take their Club badge was demolished, and providing they can raise the money, it seems likely that the Clubhouse will going the same way. Some day soon, the Major of Feignies may well need to be reaching for his passport again.

Future Plans

In 2006, United became only the fifth Nottinghamshire club to be awarded with the prestigious Charter Standard Development. They are anxious to match the plaudits off the field with equally impressive success on the field.

As a starting point, United have embarked on a campaign to raise £620,000 to improve the facilities at Platt Lane. This includes the erection of a new clubhouse, which will consist of state of the art changing facilities together with a new bar and social area, Additionally. increasing the size and access to the Car Park will also be high on the list of priorities. The Club also plans to install drainage and relocate the main pitch, though they will continue to house four main pitches and two mini-pitches.

However, they need the funds to meet the plans. So far, over £540,000 has been raised mainly through the Football Foundation, but also through various fund raising events including race nights, guest speakers & vocalists. Perhaps the most novel idea has to be the 'Buy a Brick' campaign, where willing donors will have their names included on a special plaque in the new clubhouse, in exchange for £10. Anyone wishing to contribute to this worthy cause can do so by contacting the club at: enquiries@keyworthunited.co.uk