Veteran Ashey Young could face 18-year-old son Tyler in an FA Cup fairytale first, writes JOE BERNSTEIN – but the decision lies in the hands of ANOTHER famous footballing son

Ashley and Tyler Young’s dream of making FA Cup history on Thursday night rests in the hands of a member of another famous footballing family.

No father and son have played against each other in 154 years of the world’s most famous knockout competition but that is set to change when Everton host Peterborough.

Ashley, 39, posted ‘goosebumps’ after his club were drawn against his 18-year-old boy’s team from League One and now it’s up to Posh manager Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex, to make the fairytale happen.

‘Tyler will be on the bench though I can’t guarantee he’s going to get on,’ he confirmed on Wednesday. ‘I think the way the game is going will determine that.

‘He’s a talented boy. He couldn’t have a better role model than his dad, still playing at nearly 40. To do that, you have to be at it every day. It is a great example for all my young players.’

Ordinarily, Tyler might not have travelled with the squad to Merseyside but nine substitutes are allowed and Ferguson doesn’t want to be a party-pooper.

But Tyler’s selection against Everton depends on another famous footballing son, Darren Ferguson, left, whose father is legendary Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, pictured right

Ashley needs no introduction. A league champion with Manchester United and Inter Milan, he was also part of the England team who reached the World Cup semi-final in 2018.

‘An absolutely immaculate professional. If there were more like him, it would be a joyous job every day,’ said his Everton boss Sean Dyche, a Watford team-mate of Young’s when he made his debut in 2003.

While Young Snr is famed for stamina and versatility, young Tyler is a creative midfielder with an eye for a pass. He grew up in relative affluence due to his father’s success and with an education and other career options available, didn’t seriously think about a football career until he was 15 and trained at Aston Villa, where his dad played, initially just to keep fit. He looked so good, QPR offered him a scholarship. And after they let him go last summer because of financial cutbacks, Peterborough swooped.

‘I flew back early from a pre-season camp in Spain to watch Tyler in an Under 21s game at Wingate and Finchley,’ recalled Barry Fry, who has been at the club for 30 years as manager, owner and now director of football.

‘As I walked to my seat, I bumped into Ashley and his wife (Nicky). I was delighted for the boy that his parents came to show support. I was impressed with Tyler in the game so he came to train with us and the gaffer decided to give him a contract.’

Micah Hyde, who played with Ashley at Watford and was Tyler’s academy coach at QPR, highlights the close-knit nature of the Young clan. ‘My dad got on well with Ashley’s dad Luther when they watched us at Watford,’ he said. ‘Many years later, I see Luther coming to watch his grandson Tyler at QPR, the same way he supported his son.

‘As a young player, Ashley was persistent, relentless and professional. Watford weren’t sure about him at one point but he came back one pre-season aged about 16 and really knuckled down. He started to fly and the rest is history.

‘He showed great resilience. I’m delighted Tyler is showing those characteristics by doing well at Peterborough after leaving us.’

Tyler was born a fortnight after former Aston Villa and Man United star Young (background, behind team-mate Marlon King) secured Watford’s place in the Premier League back in 2006

Tyler was born a fortnight after Dad helped Watford beat Leeds 3-0 in the 2006 Championship play-off final to win promotion to the Premier League. A heavily pregnant Nicky was at the Millennium Stadium to watch. Now, she, Luther and other family and friends will travel to Merseyside hoping to see Ashley and Tyler share a pitch.

The banter flew when father and son were interviewed by talkSPORT this week. ‘I didn’t even know the draw was on that day,’ said Tyler about the moment he got out of the shower to find his dad calling excitedly about their teams being paired together.

Ashley can afford to be more sentimental. ‘I’ve said for years that if there was any way we could play against each other, it would be the pinnacle of my career. It would eclipse anything I’ve done,’ he said. ‘When the draw came out, I just couldn’t believe it. I had no words.’