‘It’s a real honour’: Rovers stalwart hits 150 games and targets more titles
Napier City Rovers veteran Liam Schofield brought up his 150th appearance for the club in the March 29 0-0 draw to Western Suburbs, and later was given a big hug from his son Luca (inset). New Zealand Herald composite photo
Making New Zealand his permanent home wasn’t Liam Schofield’s top goal when he signed on with Napier City Rovers in 2018.
But over the past eight years, Napier has very much become home for the 31-year-old former Barnsley FC youth player.
And on Sunday, the former Chatham Cup-winner added another milestone to the impressive footballing CV he has collated at Napier City Rovers; making his 150th first-team appearance for the side.
Schofield clocked up the achievement in the team’s 0-0 draw against Wellington side Western Suburbs in their 2026 Central League season-opener at Bluewater Stadium.
“Playing one game for the club means a lot. But 150... it’s a real honour,” he told the Herald on the sideline post-match.
“You look at the Centurion board [in the clubrooms] and there’s some big names on there. And I’m proud to be a part of that.
“I came out for football in 2018, for the winter season in the Central League, and then eight years later, last week, I’m still here. It just shows how much this club means to me.
“And I want to keep making as many appearances as possible here. It’s a great club to be a part of.”
Schofield has savoured some special successes in his time at Bluewater Stadium.
In his debut season, the side won the Central League.
“We won the league and I said, ‘I can’t really leave now’,” Schofield said with a smile.
He stayed for 2019, a season where he secured another winners’ medal when Napier City Rovers won the knockout Chatham Cup for the fifth time in their history.
Schofield said he looked back on those two triumphs as “very special”.
Other highlights included playing his role in Napier City Rovers qualifying for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 National League campaigns.
“That’s something we are proud to be a part of,” he said. “And we want to bring more success this year and in many more seasons to come.”
It didn’t take long for Schofield to become a fan favourite after arriving at Napier City Rovers in 2018.
He is one of the first players young supporters head to for autographs post-match.
His long-term partner, Holly, and their 2-year-old son, Luca, make up a very special fan club on the sidelines at Bluewater Stadium for every home game.
“When you look around the club and see all the kids coming down this weekend, it’s such a family-based club,” Schofield said.
“My little man, now he likes to come down and get involved.”
Holly and Luca were then again on Sunday as Schofield – playing as left back after last year spending a lot of time in midfield - turned in a man-of-the-match performance in the entertaining draw against Western Suburbs.
Napier City Rovers had a golden opportunity to score in the opening five minutes, when Sam Lack struck the crossbar after goalkeeper Quillan Roberts was caught in no-man’s land.
Leo Brown was also unlucky not to finish off two chances at goal.
They were their side’s best chance of the opening 45 minutes, a period where Western Suburbs were able to repeatedly pressure Napier City Rovers’ defence.
But some staunch defence and the calming presence of returning Danish goalkeeper William Tonning repeatedly defused any threats.
Cam Emerson and Benjamin Stanley were also impressive in the first half; later continuing their strong showings in the second 45 minutes.
The script flipped in the second half, with the Bill Robertson-coached Napier City Rovers enjoying sustained periods of dominance in the opposition half.
Standouts included forward and new recruit Aston Hurd – who replaced an injured Jacob Fenton shortly before halftime - who continually troubled the opposition defence with his direct running.
But the home team wasn’t able to transfer their dominance on the pitch onto the scoreboard.
“We were unlucky to come away without all three points because we created a lot of chances. On another day I think we score three or four,” Schofield said.
“But main thing for me was the work rate. We never gave up. We tried to keep doing things.
“You can’t fault the work rate.”
Schofield and his teammates travel to the capital this weekend where they will face defending Central League champions and 2025 National League runners up Wellington Olympic.
Wellington Olympic opened their 2026 campaign with a draw; their match with Miramar Rangers ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Napier City Rovers, Wellington Olympic, Miramar Rangers and Western Suburbs are the most likely four teams hunting for the three Central League qualification spots in the 2026 National League, and the new-look promotion-relegation National League to be launched in 2027.
“The ambition with the club [this season] is massive,” Schofield said.
“Everybody wants to be a part of it, and we’re looking to succeed in the National League and go even further. We want to bring success to this club.”
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.
Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.