Young v Young: Father-son FA Cup encounter could join football folklore | The FA Cup

ONErsenal v Manchester United and Tamworth v Tottenham are two of the more exciting fixtures in the FA Cup third round, but Everton’s meeting with Peterborough has the potential to make history. At Goodison Park on Thursday, there is a chance that the hosts’ 39-year-old wing-back Ashley Young will find himself on the same pitch as his 18-year-old son, Tyler, a promising midfielder who signed for Posh in League One last summer.

“WOW … dreams can come true #GoosebumpsMoment #YoungVsYoung,” the former England international wrote on X after last month’s draw.

It is rare, but not unheard of, for a father and son to compete in the same professional match. One of the most famous examples is George Eastham – who died last month aged 88 – and his father, also George, who was player manager at Ards in Northern Ireland in the 1950s.

Eastham Jr’s career would include a place in England’s 1966 World Cup squad and stints with Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke. He made his senior debut alongside his father on the opening day of the 1953–54 campaign and Ards won the now defunct Gold Cup that season.

A contest for the most famous player to have shared a field with one of their offspring would be between Rivaldo, the former Brazil international, and Henrik Larsson, formerly of Sweden and Celtic.

In 2015, Rivaldo, aged 43, came out of retirement to play for Mogi Mirim, where he was also president. He lined up alongside his 20-year-old son, Rivaldinho, and the prodigiously gifted former Barcelona forward was involved in the build-up to the opener with Rivaldinho on his head and had a hand in all three goals in a 3-1 victory. Rivaldo said it made him feel “grateful and happy”.

Larsson, another Barça alumnus better known for several seasons at Parkhead, rounded off his exemplary playing career at Swedish fourth division side Högaborgs in 2013. The 41-year-old answered the club’s call during an injury crisis, coming off the bench. in a 4-2 win in which his 15-year-old son, Jordan, scored. Larsson called playing with his son a “rare luxury”. “We didn’t combine a whole lot, but of course I’m proud,” he said.

In the English League, on the last day of the 1950-51 season, Stockport County fielded a team with Alec Herd along with his son, David. A 2–0 win over Hartlepool helped secure 10th place in Third Division North, but it was far from the biggest result of either player’s career. Alec had been part of the first Manchester City team to win the First Division in 1936-37, contributing to FA Cup success in 1933-34. Herd Jr would win a First Division title and an FA Cup with Manchester United.

Another English example came in 1989-90 when Hereford United player-manager Ian Bowyer – a two-time European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest – selected his son, Gary, to play alongside him.

In Scottish League 1, Wullie and Lewis Gibson played together for Queen of the South in a win against FC Edinburgh in September 2022. The 38-year-old Wullie, then player-manager, stood in front of his 17-year-old son as he was introduced in the 87th. minute in a 4-1 win.

“It was a strange feeling, it’s a dream come true to play with your dad,” Lewis said. “It’s something not many people get to do.” Gibson Sr., who left the role in December of that year, said: “It’s a proud moment, but not one that I want to dwell on.”

A nod must also go to Iceland internationals Arnor and Eidur Gudjohnsen, who missed out on taking the field together, but nevertheless combined to create a unique moment. Eidur, the former Chelsea striker who made his international debut against Estonia in 1996, was introduced to his father. Gudjohnsen Sr was then 34, his son 17.

According to uefa.com they were supposed to start an Iceland match together, only for Eidur to break a leg. By the time he recovered, Arnor had retired. “It’s still my biggest regret that we didn’t get to play together,” Gudjohnsen Sr. said.

Born in 2006, Young Jr spent 10 years in Arsenal’s academy before being released last year. He has made one appearance for Peterborough from the bench in a 2-0 EFL Trophy win against Stevenage last October, while his evergreen father is closing in on 750 senior appearances.

A run-out against Everton may seem unlikely given Tyler’s lack of playing time, but given the potential PR win available to Posh, it would be no surprise to see him included in the squad. Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson reacted to Young Sr’s post after the draw. told the BBC: “Ash has put me under a bit of pressure there. I’ll have to find a way to get Tyler involved.”

The Goodison Park tie has the potential to write another chapter in this thread of football history and in a new way: all the examples above involve close relatives lining up in the same team rather than in opposition. Although it seems doubtful, Young Sr will take the approach recommended by one of the comments on his X posts. “I’d like to see you send him into row Z,” wrote Phill Thomas. “We cannot afford any sentimental hesitation.”

Beyond all the media hype and social media filth, it promises to be a proud day for both of them.