Danish goalkeeper William Tonning’s love for Napier City Rovers is there for all to see on his body, with a tattoo of the club's emblem on his right leg (inset) that he got in Stockholm. New Zealand Herald composite photo
Danish goalkeeper William Tonning’s love for Napier City Rovers is there for all to see on his body.
One of the stars of the 2024 New Zealand domestic football scene – where Napier City Rovers finished just two competition points away from qualifying for that year’s National League final – the 26-year-old has signed on for a second stint at the club.
And he showed his class again last weekend during his side’s stunning second round Central League 3-0 win over defending champions Wellington Olympic.
As well as travelling from Scandinavia armed with a bag full of goalkeeping kit, Tonning - dubbed by fans at the club as the ‘Great Dane’ - also flew into Napier sporting some special body art symbolising how much Napier City Rovers means to him.
Last year – well before he was approached about returning for a second stint with the five-times-winning Chatham Cup club – Tonning ventured into a tattoo parlour in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, showed the artist a picture of Napier City Rovers’ emblem and asked him to permanently ink it to his right leg.
“That tattoo means a lot,” Tonning said.
“I 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.
“The club is a special place I have played for, it’s part of me, part of my life.”
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.
Prior to his first season with Napier City Rovers in 2024, Tonning had played in Denmark, Canada, Sweden and the Faroe Islands.
On his return to Europe, he played professionally in Iceland and Sweden.
Tonning proved to be hugely popular with both his teammates and fans of Napier City Rovers during his first stint at the Hawke’s Bay club.
That followed numerous match-winning and match-saving performances between the posts.
Continuing to play professionally in Europe – instead of returning to New Zealand this year - would have been a more lucrative option.
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.
“I’ve learnt a lot about myself over the last year and a half... what means a lot to me,” he said.
“I’ve 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.
“Here, it’s different than anything else I’ve 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.”
Tonning said he reevaluated what was important to him football-wise during a period where he was low in confidence while back in Europe.
“I really started to figure out what means something to me and what’s important to me,” he said.
“It’s not important to me to play in the Champions League, or [another top European competition], if I don’t feel at home. It’s important to me to play somewhere where I feel that I’m appreciated, where I feel like I can be a part of something, where I can really contribute.”
Tonning said that was no slight on clubs he had previously played with in Europe.
“I’ve had some really good experiences including over the past year and a half playing at some lovely clubs,” he said.
“But the feeling of being here is just different than being in a fulltime environment.”
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.
“[Napier City Rovers] was the best experience I’ve had in terms of football, in terms of lifestyle,” Tonning said.
“I’ve lived in a lot of places, but this is the favourite place I’ve ever been.”
Last Saturday, Tonning again controlled his penalty box during Napier City Rovers’ outstanding 3-0 win over Wellington Olympic.
It was a brilliant all round team performance that saw Wellington Olympic – winners of last year’s Central League, Chatham Cup and also losing finalists in the National League – being outplayed and outcoached.
Victory also brought with it the O’Brien Shield; a coveted challenge shield where the holder puts it up for grabs when hosting other Central League sides.
Last Saturday’s win saw Napier City Rovers secure it for the first time since 2018.
Their first defence of their latest tenure will be when they host Island Bay United at Bluewater Stadium on Sunday.
If Tonning has his way, the O’Brien 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.
“I think we have the quality to do it, and I think we have the team,” he said.
“The team’s goal is to win something this year. It’s been the declared goal since I committed to being here.
“I 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’s future in the highest level of football in New Zealand.”
And it’s just not the Central League, Chatham Cup and National League aspirations of Napier City Rovers’ first team that Tonning will try to help in 2026.
He has also signed to coach youth players at both secondary school and academy level this season in Hawke’s Bay.
“It’s good to give back to the community,” he said. “That means a lot to me.”
Tonning this month is also in the process of getting his OFC C goalkeeping licence.
“Goalkeeper coaching is something that I might want to explore after my own career,” he said.
“I like developing goalkeepers and helping them out, helping them become better goalkeepers.”
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014, has 34 years of newsroom experience and been covering the Napier City Rovers since 2022.
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