Ashley Young is hoping to create a historic moment in football when he faces his son, Tyler, in an FA Cup match between Everton and Peterborough at Goodison Park on Thursday. The 39-year-old wing-back, a former England international, could line up against his 18-year-old son, who is a promising midfielder for Peterborough, a League One club. Tyler signed with the Posh last summer, and while he has yet to feature prominently for the team, the chance to play in the same match as his father is a thrilling prospect.
It’s a rare but not unprecedented event for a father and son to share the same professional pitch. One of the most famous examples is George Eastham and his father, also named George, who played together in the 1950s for Ards in Northern Ireland. Eastham Jr. went on to play for Newcastle, Arsenal, and Stoke, and was part of England’s 1966 World Cup squad. His debut with his father came on the opening day of the 1953-54 season, and the pair won the Gold Cup together that year.
Another well-known instance of father-son footballers was the pairing of Henrik Larsson and his son, Jordan. Larsson, a legendary Swedish forward known for his time at Celtic, played alongside his son during a testimonial match in 2004. In 2013, Larsson came out of retirement to play with his son for Högaborgs in a Swedish fourth-division match, a moment Larsson described as a “rare luxury.” Similarly, in 2015, Rivaldo returned to football at 43 to play for Mogi Mirim in Brazil, alongside his 20-year-old son, Rivaldinho. The pair had a hand in all three goals of a 3-1 victory, with Rivaldinho scoring the opening goal.
In England, there have been other notable father-son appearances. On the final day of the 1950-51 season, Alec Herd and his son David played together for Stockport County. Alec had a successful career, winning the First Division with Manchester City, while David went on to win titles with Manchester United. Another father-son duo, Ian and Gary Bowyer, played together for Hereford United in the late 1980s, and in 2022, Wullie and Lewis Gibson made history by playing together for Queen of the South in a Scottish League 1 match.
While these examples are memorable, the Youngs’ potential encounter in the FA Cup could take a unique place in football history. Tyler, who spent 10 years in Arsenal’s academy before being released, has made one appearance for Peterborough in a minor competition, so it seems unlikely that he would start against Everton. However, with the potential media attention and the emotional significance of the occasion, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him included in the squad. Peterborough’s manager, Darren Ferguson, has acknowledged the pressure to involve Tyler in the match, responding to Ashley’s post on social media with a light-hearted remark about finding a way to get him on the pitch.
If Tyler does play, it will be a proud moment for both father and son. While some fans may jokingly suggest that Ashley should show no mercy, the occasion will undoubtedly be one of pride and emotion for the Young family. Whether or not they end up facing off on the pitch, the event has the potential to be a significant chapter in the history of father-son football duos.
