Today's office debate

[Gwylan]

My colleagues and I were talking about sporting dynasties. One thing that struck us was that there have been very few father and son combinations playing for England (or indeed, any other home country) - the Cloughs were the only ones who sprang to mind. Foreign teams might do better: Maldini and Veron are obvious examples, but are they one-offs, or is it more common in other teams?

Compare this with cricket where, in the last few years alone, Butcher, Stewart, Sidebottom and Jones have all represented England.

Are we missing any glaring examples and why should cricketing sons follow cricketing fathers more often than footballing ones?

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Because it is easier to get into the England cricket team ?

 

[Gazwag]

What about Frank Lampard Jnr & Snr

 

[Gwylan]

Yeah, that's the point that we raised: that there was much more competition in football than in cricket. That's why it would be interesting to get a feel for what happens in other countries.

But there don't appear to be too many fathers and sons playing for Wales or Scotland either and it can't be too difficult in getting into those teams.

 

[Gwylan]

Don't think Frank Lampard Snr played for England but could be wrong on that.

 

[Titanic]

For the same reason as Harvey Smith's son Robert is an international show-jumper! It's about access to scarce resources, like good caoches, cricket nets, horses and sandschools etc... when you are young enough for it to matter.

And then it helps to have a Dad who can get you into junior local and county teams etc... etc...

It doesn't work so well in football because the pool of players agred 8-13 is so large that the real cream rises to the top - not just the fortunate ones!

 

[REDLAND]

The Nevilles and the Chartons...

 

[Brovion]

Ian Wright and Wright-Phillips? (The Man City player, can't remember his Christian name, might be Sean). Father and son but not blood relatives though.

 

[Soton Seagull]

Ian Wright & Shaun Wright Phillips (Step Dad, but I reckon that counts!)

 

[Brovion]

The Nevilles and the Chartons...

I think he said 'father and son' redland. There's quite a few examples of brothers - Joe and Ashley cole for example.

 

[chips and gravy]

John and Jeremey Charles

 

[Jambo Seagull]

In Scotland we have Archie Gemmill and Scott Gemmill although it's debatable whether Scott Gemmill is a footballer.

 

[Jambo Seagull]

John and Jeremey Charles

I'm 99% certain Jeremy Charles was John's nephew.

 

[REDLAND]

I think he said 'father and son' redland. There's quite a few examples of brothers - Joe and Ashley cole for example.

Indeed another great example ff read the whole post before replying

 

[On the Left Wing]

Tony Hateley and Mark Hateley

Harry Redknapp and Jamie Redknapp (though unsure Harry was capped at full international)

Peter Owen and Gary Owen

 

[Gazwag]

Don't think Frank Lampard Snr played for England but could be wrong on that.

Just checked and he played two games for england both friendlys v Australia in 1980 and v Yugoslavia in 1972

 

[Gwylan]

Didn't realise FL snr had played. You live and learn. Forgot about the Gemmills.

I'm certain Tony Hateley didn't play for England and I'm pretty sure that Harry Redknapp didn't.

But we're scraping around to think of them, something we don't have to do with cricket (or rugby come to think of it). I think Titanic has put his finger on it, you get access to facilities at an earlier age but the extra competition in football wipes out this advantage.

 

[The Large One]

Did either of the Summerbees play for England?

Or did Mike Walker play for England? Probably not.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Alan Smith and Alan Smith.



What?

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Alf and Chris Ramsey.