Football has been played in Keyworth since the 1875/76 season when a Keyworth FC team played in friendly matches. Over the following years they joined the Notts Amateur and Notts Alliance Leagues. Several players progressing to represent Notts County and Nottm Forest. From1913 to 1918 the team became Keyworth and Plumtree United FC. Five of this team lost their lives during the 1st World War, three from the same family.

For the 1919/20 season Keyworth United FC joined the Spartan League and competed for the first time in the Notts Junior Cup. In 1936/37 the team became known as Normanton and Keyworth FC and after the 2nd World War they shared the Rectory Field with the Cricket Club and played in the Realm League.

In the 1970’s and 80’s the Club returned to the Spartan League and then to the Alliance again. They were Intermediate Cup winners in the 75/76 and 77/78 seasons. In 1976/77 the Club changed to it’s now familiar green, white and black strip having sported several other colours over the years. In 1978 they moved to their current Platt Lane home.

The 80’s were a very successful decade. Many players representing the Notts FA. An estimated 2000 people watched Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest side play Keyworth in a testimonial game for then manager Arthur Oldham.

Former Notts County defender Brian Stubbs took over as manager for the 89/90 season The former England, Everton and Forest player Frank Wignall became manager of the Club in 1994.

At this time the Club had only four junior sides in the Young Elizabethan League.

The late 90’s and into the 21st century saw more managerial changes and former player Robert Clegg appointed Chairman. This heralded the increase in youth teams. 03/04 saw the Club field 18 teams which included two girls sides.

04/05 saw Keyworth United join the newly formed Notts Senior League. In 05/06 the Reserves lifted the Notts Junior Cup and in 07/08 the 1st team were runners up in the NSL.

In 2010 former Forest stalwart Frank Clarke opened the new Clubroom and changing rooms after the Club secured a hefty windfall from the Football Foundation.

This era saw junior football thrive but both senior sides fought relegation. By the end of the 12/13 season the Reserve team was withdrawn from the League.

New management was introduced in 2013 and the elevation to the Central Midlands League for season 2015/16 was seen as a positive move.

The management team was refreshed at the start of 2016/17 seeing Steve Pembleton (ex Forest) join the club, this was short lived and now Paddy Sneath has been promoted from Reserve team manager. Paddy held that position for three seasons and the Club saw promise in Paddy’s coaching and team philosophy and rewarded him with his new title.