Ambitious League 7 club Hednesford Town dreams of reaching the EFL one day in the near future after being on the verge of elimination in 2023.
Just three years later, under the leadership of Craig and Amanda Gwilt, they have gone from a club on the verge of collapse to one of the most successful non-league clubs.
Hednesford currently sit 2nd in the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League and are exploring potential back-to-back promotions. If they succeed, they would be just two steps away from reaching the Football League.
Part of their incredible transformation has included significant investment in their Keys Park stadium, starting with the £1.6 million world-class pitch.
Solar panels for sustainability, a new electronic scoreboard, LED advertising panels, upgraded bars, changing rooms, dugouts, a tunnel, a club store, offices, security systems and future plans for an expanded fan zone with more covered areas and grocery stores can be seen throughout the site.
Former Premier League and EFL player and current Hednesford Town CEO Marvin Robinson spoke in an interview with the Express & Star.
Best floor in #Nonleague?
From the brink of extinction to the Football League dream: Inside @Hednesford_Towns remarkable rise and change.
Huge investment has transformed Keys Park – and the club is far from finished. Detailed feature https://t.co/HIWNyYrCpC
— Luke Powell (@lukew_powell) January 28, 2026
Regarding the long-term vision of reaching the Football League, CEO Marvin Robinson said, according to the Express & Star: “Absolutely. The vision when Keys Park was built in the 1990s was always to climb the pyramid, and this work is essentially a continuation of that goal.”
“What’s different now is that we’re building holistically. Football success is important, but so is infrastructure, community, fan experience and sustainability. We’re seeing more families and more community events attending, and planned developments such as a future fan zone offering more covered space and dining options will be another step forward.”
“And we’re not done yet. That’s the foundation – the next phase is about creating even more covered social space and a fan zone environment that makes Keys Park a destination and not just a stadium.”
“We are building something that can climb the pyramid without leaving our people behind.
“We’re building a Keys Park that feels like the future of non-league; best in class, local first, where players, staff and fans come in and know straight away: This club means business.”
“Over the last 18 months we have made significant improvements throughout Keys Park, which are clearly visible both on match days and behind the scenes. From the moment you arrive, the site looks better, runs smoother and feels more professional.”
“The centerpiece is the pitch. We have carried out a complete refurbishment to world-class specifications, transforming it into a surface capable of supporting higher level football all year round. Built with advanced drainage, a modern root zone and a year-round maintenance plan, it is already recognized as one of the most outstanding playing surfaces at this level.”
“Sustainability was also a key focus. We have invested in solar panels as part of our transition to renewable energy to significantly reduce our impact on the environment while future-proofing the stadium’s energy supply.
“The tunnel area now sets the tone around the stadium – a better first impression for players, officials and visiting clubs and a more professional matchday environment. We have also invested in technology, including improved camera systems and improved stadium security.”
“The scoreboard, LED boards and bar upgrades have changed the rhythm of game day – better flow, fewer bottlenecks and more time to enjoy the football.”
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“The pitch was the main investment at around £1.6m. Beyond that we have been disciplined – making incremental improvements that will raise standards, improve safety and traffic flow and ensure the stadium works harder for the club and the community all year round.”
“This is not about short-term spending. This is about building infrastructure that will ensure Hednesford Town remains competitive and prosperous for years to come.
“The impact was clear to see. We saw increasing visitor numbers, record-breaking crowds, record-breaking merchandise sales and increasing engagement far beyond the region.
“A year ago some areas felt cramped and temporary. Now it feels like a venue built to host larger occasions.
“On match days, fans spend more time on site and engage more with what’s on offer. Off the pitch, businesses support the club’s commercial growth, allowing us to further support things such as official away travel offers for fans, live radio commentary at away games and upcoming community projects.”
“For players and staff, the environment feels more professional, organized and ambitious.
“Growth was the trigger, but standards were the reason. If more people choose to spend their Saturdays with you, you owe them a game day that feels organized, welcoming and worth the trip.
“We want to create an environment that supports players joining us, supports staff and volunteers to do their jobs properly and provides a better experience for fans. Equally important, we are building a club that is ready for the next level.”
“These improvements will also allow us to use the stadium beyond football. Keys Park will become a venue for events, community activities and commercial opportunities, which is vital for a modern, sustainable football club.”
