Ivan Toney will captain Brentford against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, marking an end to his eight months away from football for breaching the Premier League‘s betting rules.
The Bees star was enjoying the best season of his career last campaign, netting 20 goals in the Premier League before winning the favour of England manager Gareth Southgate ahead of his ban in May.
And after eight months of reflection, away from the football pitch, Toney posted a simple word to social media on Wednesday as it was confirmed his suspension had finally been lifted. ‘Free’.
After such a sensational campaign on the football pitch last term, the England striker will be hoping for little change as far as goal-scoring is concerned. But in terms of his appearance, plenty has.
Since he last graced the football pitch, Brentford’s talisman has turned his body into art, with a host of meaningful tattoos. Prior to his ban, Toney’s skin on his back was a blank canvas but now it is covered with images of the people and places he looked to for sanctuary during his time away.
Toney spoke exclusively to Mail Sport’s Chief Sport Writer Oliver Holt this week, eager to share the reason behind each one. From his England legacy number to his two young children as well as the Ten Commandments, Toney’s rich tapestry of tattoos is bursting with meaning. He has asked that we blur the images of his children on his back.
Fired up for his Premier League return on Saturday, Ivan Toney has turned his body into art with a host of meaningful tattoos
While explaining his tattoos to Mail Sport, the England forward asked that we blur the images of his children on his back
FRONT
No 1272
His England legacy number; he became the 1,272nd man to play for England.
The Mask
On his right forearm is an image of a woman taking a mask off. On the mask is a smile, but underneath she isn’t smiling. There are two sides to everyone and you never know what someone is thinking or feeling deep down .
‘The day you plant the seed…’
Written by his collarbone is the phrase, ‘The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit’. It’s a metaphor to say that good things do not happen overnight.
Ivan’s mantra
Emblazoned across his chest are the words, ‘Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret’. It is a phrase that motivates him to work hard now and reap the benefits later.
Emblazoned across his chest are the words, ‘Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret’ – the mantra he lives by
The England striker spoke exclusively to Mail Sport’s Oliver Holt at Brentford’s training ground ahead of his comeback
Brentford boss Thomas Frank revealed Toney will captain the Bees against Nottingham Forest on his return at the weekend
Fearless
‘That speaks for itself,’ Toney says.
No 17
The number on the back of his Brentford shirt.
Kitten and Tiger
A kitten stares into water, a tiger looks back. ‘It is how you should see yourself when you look in the mirror,’ he says.
Family affair
Proudly painted on his torso are his grandparents Elma and Benjamin and young son Ivan Jnr.
The Lion
The king of the jungle who shows no fear. Ivan explains: ‘Above it is a little saying I go by, “If he bleeds the same blood, never fear him”.’
Toney never doubted he would return from his eight-month ban to top-level football and has vowed to come back even better
He won the favour of England boss Gareth Southgate during the second-half of the season and secured his place in the squad
BACK
Time’s up
The new ‘11:59’ tattoo, written with the words ‘Even the longest of days will eventually come to an end.’ It was those words which helped Toney see the light at the end of the tunnel.
There’s no place like home
‘My strength comes from my family. We are all quite strong individuals and strong personalities.’
Next generation
Toney with his arms around his two young children, Ivan Junior and Ikari.
Sister act
A portrait of Toney and his sisters, Jemma and Jasmine.
Toney’s new ‘11:59’ tattoo, written with the words ‘Even the longest of days will eventually come to an end.’ It was those words which helped Toney see the light at the end of the tunnel
Toney said the experience of his ban has ‘one hundred per cent’ turned him off gambling and it’s been years since he betted
Toney was enjoying the best season of his career last campaign, netting 20 goals in the Premier League ahead of his ban
Like father, like son
A picture of a young Toney with his arms wrapped around his dad, Ivan Snr.
My life, my mess
He’s been punished, and Toney says: ‘I want to own it and get on with it.’
The Ten Commandments
Toney, a Christian, still says a prayer that his nan told him before every match.
Mummy’s boy
A young Toney with his mother, Lisa
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