Keys Park
Encyclopedia
Keys Park is home of Hednesford Town Football Club
, and is situated on Keys Park Road in the town of Hednesford
, Staffordshire
. The club previously played at the Cross Keys, a ground situated behind the pub of the same name.
The stadium was completed during the summer of 1995, at a cost of £1.3 million. Its original capacity was set at 3,500; a smart main stand housing changing rooms, club offices and social facilities, a shallow uncovered terrace on the Wimblebury side of the ground and two identical covered terraces at either end of the ground.
The stadium was first used in a friendly against Walsall F.C.
in July of that year. Keys Park was officially opened by the late Sir Stanley Matthews later that year, in a ceremony that included a friendly against Wolverhampton Wanderers
.
In January 1997, Keys Park saw its highest attendance ever as over 3,000 people witnessed the Pitmen's 1-0 win over York City
in the FA Cup
Third Round. During the following season, three sides of the ground were developed; the Heath Hayes End was converted into a 1,000 capacity open terrace, whilst the Wimblebury side was turned into a large uncovered terrace. Seating was installed at the previously terraced Hednesford End to raise the ground capacity over the 6,000 needed for a grade 'A' rating by the Football League
, which was granted in 1998.
Despite relegation from the Football Conference
in 2001, the club proceeded with plans to make the stadium covered on all four sides, and with the help of a Football Association
grant, installed roofs on each of the uncovered terraces at the Heath Hayes End and on the Wimblebury Terrace.
The result is still recognised as one of non-league football's finest modern stadiums.
Hednesford Town F.C.
Hednesford Town Football Club are an association football team based in Hednesford, Staffordshire, England. They play at Keys Park.-History:...
, and is situated on Keys Park Road in the town of Hednesford
Hednesford
Hednesford is a small town and civil parish in Staffordshire, England, within Cannock Chase District. It adjoins Cannock Chase to the north, and the town of Cannock to the south. It had a 2010 mid-year estimated population of 16,928.-History:...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
. The club previously played at the Cross Keys, a ground situated behind the pub of the same name.
The stadium was completed during the summer of 1995, at a cost of £1.3 million. Its original capacity was set at 3,500; a smart main stand housing changing rooms, club offices and social facilities, a shallow uncovered terrace on the Wimblebury side of the ground and two identical covered terraces at either end of the ground.
The stadium was first used in a friendly against Walsall F.C.
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
in July of that year. Keys Park was officially opened by the late Sir Stanley Matthews later that year, in a ceremony that included a friendly against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
.
In January 1997, Keys Park saw its highest attendance ever as over 3,000 people witnessed the Pitmen's 1-0 win over York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
Third Round. During the following season, three sides of the ground were developed; the Heath Hayes End was converted into a 1,000 capacity open terrace, whilst the Wimblebury side was turned into a large uncovered terrace. Seating was installed at the previously terraced Hednesford End to raise the ground capacity over the 6,000 needed for a grade 'A' rating by the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, which was granted in 1998.
Despite relegation from the Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
in 2001, the club proceeded with plans to make the stadium covered on all four sides, and with the help of a Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
grant, installed roofs on each of the uncovered terraces at the Heath Hayes End and on the Wimblebury Terrace.
The result is still recognised as one of non-league football's finest modern stadiums.