\u201cThat tattoo means a lot,\u201d Tonning said.<\/p>\n
Danish goalkeeper William Tonning has returned to Napier City Rovers for a second stint in 2026, this time returning with a tattoo tribute to the club he previously played for in 2024. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to show gratitude in some kind of way to what the club has given me and continues to give me. The tattoo was the start.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe club is a special place I have played for, it\u2019s part of me, part of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since getting the tattoo on his right quad, Tonning has started getting permanent ink tributes to other clubs the Danish shot-stopper has played for.<\/p>\n
Prior to his first season with Napier City Rovers in 2024, Tonning had played in<\/a> Denmark, Canada, Sweden and the Faroe Islands.<\/p>\n On his return to Europe, he played professionally in Iceland and Sweden.<\/p>\n Tonning proved to be hugely popular with both his teammates and fans of Napier City Rovers<\/a> during his first stint at the Hawke\u2019s Bay club.<\/p>\n That followed numerous match-winning and match-saving performances between the posts.<\/p>\n Continuing to play professionally in Europe \u2013 instead of returning to New Zealand this year – would have been a more lucrative option.<\/p>\n His return rather highlighted that his sporting priority was now driven by where he felt he could get the best out of himself and where he felt most comfortable.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve learnt a lot about myself over the last year and a half… what means a lot to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve figured out that feeling at home and feeling a part of something bigger means a lot to me and it means a lot to my performance on the pitch.<\/p>\n \u201cHere, it\u2019s different than anything else I\u2019ve ever experienced before in terms of how the club has a family feel. It is a big thing for me feeling at home and that is a big thing for me being able to perform.\u201d<\/p>\n Tonning said he reevaluated what was important to him football-wise during a period where he was low in confidence while back in Europe.<\/p>\n \u201cI really started to figure out what means something to me and what\u2019s important to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not important to me to play in the Champions League, or [another top European competition], if I don\u2019t feel at home. It\u2019s important to me to play somewhere where I feel that I\u2019m appreciated, where I feel like I can be a part of something, where I can really contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n Tonning said that was no slight on clubs he had previously played with in Europe.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had some really good experiences including over the past year and a half playing at some lovely clubs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the feeling of being here is just different than being in a fulltime environment.\u201d<\/p>\n That includes the bond within the playing roster, and the heart and soul of Napier City Rovers which is built around a family-oriented environment and driven by countless volunteers.<\/p>\n \u201c[Napier City Rovers] was the best experience I\u2019ve had in terms of football, in terms of lifestyle,\u201d Tonning said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve lived in a lot of places, but this is the favourite place I\u2019ve ever been.\u201d<\/p>\n Last Saturday, Tonning again controlled his penalty box during Napier City Rovers\u2019 outstanding 3-0 win<\/a> over Wellington Olympic.<\/p>\n It was a brilliant all round team performance that saw Wellington Olympic \u2013 winners of last year\u2019s Central League, Chatham Cup and also losing finalists in the National League \u2013 being outplayed and outcoached.<\/p>\n Victory also brought with it the O\u2019Brien Shield; a coveted challenge shield where the holder puts it up for grabs when hosting other Central League sides.<\/p>\n Last Saturday\u2019s win saw Napier City Rovers secure it for the first time since 2018.<\/p>\n Their first defence of their latest tenure will be when they host Island Bay United at Bluewater Stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\n If Tonning has his way, the O\u2019Brien Shield will be the first of several trophies Napier City Rovers secures in his second stint with the club that means so much to him.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we have the quality to do it, and I think we have the team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team\u2019s goal is to win something this year. It\u2019s been the declared goal since I committed to being here.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to focus on getting success for the club and qualify the club for the National League this year and next year… secure the club\u2019s future in the highest level of football in New Zealand.\u201d<\/p>\n And it\u2019s just not the Central League, Chatham Cup and National League aspirations of Napier City Rovers\u2019 first team that Tonning will try to help in 2026.<\/p>\n He has also signed to coach youth players at both secondary school and academy level this season in Hawke\u2019s Bay.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good to give back to the community,\u201d he said. \u201cThat means a lot to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Tonning this month is also in the process of getting his OFC C goalkeeping licence.<\/p>\n \u201cGoalkeeper coaching is something that I might want to explore after my own career,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI like developing goalkeepers and helping them out, helping them become better goalkeepers.\u201d<\/p>\nWilliam Tonning’s football travels took him to Sweden and Iceland after his first stint in New Zealand. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
A feeling of belonging helped secure William Tonning’s services for a second stint in Napier. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
William Tonning controlled his penalty box with authority in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Wellington Olympic. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
William Tonning has lived in Denmark, Sweden, Canada, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, but he says Napier is his favourite place. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
William Tonning, centre wearing green shorts, celebrates with teammates after Napier City Rovers qualified for the 2024 National League. Screen grab \/ Neil Reid video<\/p>\n
William Tonning’s return to Napier City Rovers sees him link up again with the club’s goalkeeping coach Kyle Baxter (right). Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
Danish goalkeeper William Tonning says Napier City Rovers means much than just a football club to him. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
As well as trying to spur Napier City Rovers to titles in 2026, he is also coaching up and coming players. New Zealand Herald photograph by Neil Reid<\/p>\n