Former England international Ashley Young may face his 18-year-old son Tyler on Thursday during Everton’s match against Peterborough in the third round of the FA Cup.
Ashley Young won the FA Cup in 2016 with Manchester United, as well as league titles in England and Italy. But he said the chance to share the pitch with his son would be greater than any trophy he had won.
“I have said this for (a) many years, that if there is a possibility that we can play together or play against each other, it will trump anything I have achieved in my career,” he told Everton’s website. “It will be amazing if it happens, and I hope it does.”
Ashley Young, 39, said there would be no risk of split loyalties in the game.
“It just wouldn’t happen… as soon as the game comes, as soon as the whistle blows, it’s just another opponent, another enemy and we’ll both want to go out and win the game.”
Midfielder Tyler spent time with Arsenal, Queens Park Rangers and MK Dons before joining third tier Peterborough last year.
He played just one match for the Peterborough senior team, making his debut as a substitute in October.
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“I wouldn’t say it’s been an easy journey. It’s been a bumpy road, but having him (Ashley) is always good to be able to go to if I need help,” Tyler said.
Ashley is in the final stages of a career that has seen him represent England at the World Cup and play for clubs including United, Inter Milan and Aston Villa.
Among other instances of fathers and sons participating in the same game, World Cup winner Rivaldo played and scored in the same match as his son Rivaldinho in a Brazilian second league match in 2015.
In October, Lebron and Bronny James made history by becoming the first father and son to play together in the NBA. In 1990, Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. they hit back-to-back home runs in Major League Baseball.
