The FA Cup is soccer’s oldest surviving cup competition but never before in its 154-year history has a match featured a player lining up against his own son.
History was almost made on Thursday night, as Everton player Ashley Young, 39, was set to play against his 18-year-old son Tyler of third-tier club Peterborough United. There was just one problem: Tyler was an unused substitute throughout the match, which Everton won 2-0.
Ashley Young had himself been a substitute until he was introduced in the 73rd minute, with Everton leading 1-0 but with the game still in the balance until the Premier League side doubled their lead with a penalty in the eighth minute of added time. Tyler Young could only watch from the substitute’s bench as Peterborough used all five of their available substitutions without calling on him.
Everton full-back Ashley Young, a former Manchester United player and England international, expressed his disappointment on Friday morning.
GUTTED……
— Ashley Young (@youngy18) January 10, 2025
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson — fittingly the son of one of soccer’s most famous figures, former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson — said after the game that his side were “not a charity case”, despite frustrations from the Everton side.
“It was very difficult to leave Tyler on the bench but I’ve got to do what I think is best for the team,” Ferguson said after the game.
“As much as I wanted Tyler to get on, if the game had been 2-0 at that point I would’ve put him on but at 1-0, I had to get a forward on. I’ve got to try and get something out of the game and do what is best for my team.
“One of their (Everton) players had a pop at me, which was bang out of order. We are not a charity case.”
This moment ❤️
Tyler Young may not have had the chance to face his dad, Ashley, but his bright future in the game means plenty more unforgettable #EmiratesFACup moments await 🏆 pic.twitter.com/clprH0YWvz
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 9, 2025
Tyler Young has only played 27 minutes of senior football in his career, with one substitute appearance in the EFL Trophy — a tournament contested by clubs in League One and League Two, the third and fourth tiers of English football.
The teenager has not played in any of the club’s 24 league games to date this season, where he has been part of the matchday squad as an unused substitute twice.
(Molly Darlington – AMA/Getty Images)
