Ashley Young’s hopes of creating a unique FA Cup moment by playing against his son Tyler were dashed during Peterborough’s third-round tie against Everton.
The emotional prospect was overshadowed by the demands of the game, leaving fans divided over the decision made by Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson.
Young, a 39-year-old former Manchester United and England winger, entered the match with just 17 minutes remaining, fueling excitement for a potential father-son showdown.
Tyler, a promising defender, remained on the bench as Ferguson used his final substitution to chase an equalizer against a fragile Everton side clinging to a one-goal lead.
Everton had parted ways with manager Sean Dyche just hours before the match, adding intrigue to the clash. However, their struggles continued as they labored to put away the League One underdogs, eventually sealing a 2-0 victory.
Addressing the decision to keep Tyler on the bench, Ferguson said, “I’ve got to do what’s best for my team. As much as I wanted Tyler to go on with his dad, the game was still in the balance. At 1-0 down, I had to focus on getting a result.”
Peterborough superfan and talkSPORT broadcaster Adrian Durham backed Ferguson’s call, pointing out that Everton’s lackluster performance contributed to the missed opportunity.
“If Everton had played better and wrapped up the game earlier, Tyler would’ve come on,” Durham argued.
The debate intensified on social media, with Ashley Young expressing his disappointment on X, prompting mixed reactions from fans. Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony also stepped in, defending Ferguson’s stance.
“This wasn’t an exhibition match,” MacAnthony stated. “Tyler is progressing brilliantly, but bringing him on in such circumstances wasn’t right for the team. Criticism of our manager is unfair and uninformed. Even Ashley will understand this decision in time.”
The night that could have written FA Cup history instead highlighted the tensions between sentimentality and competitive priorities. For now, Tyler Young continues to develop with Peterborough’s U21s, while fans await another chance for the Youngs to share the pitch.