The Premier League’s 13 Greatest Father–Son Duos of All-Time
- Think Football Ideas
- Sep 30, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 7, 2025
13 Iconic Father-Son Legacies in the Premier League
How many times have you seen a familiar name on a team sheet and wondered if it belongs to a relative of someone you remember, only to realise it is indeed a son following in his father’s footsteps?
The Premier League has always been rich with drama, rivalries, and unforgettable matches. Beyond the pitch, it holds a compelling legacy of family ties, where fathers set the stage and sons continue the story, adding new chapters to the history of the English top flight.
Here are The Premier League’s 13 Greatest Father–Son Duos of All-Time
13. Paul Furlong (64 apps) & Darnell Furlong (38 apps)
Paul Furlong may not have been a Premier League mainstay, but his journey through English football tells a story of persistence and adaptability. In 64 appearances, he scored 13 goals and registered 7 assists.
After making his name at Watford and earning a big-money move to Chelsea, the club’s record signing at the time, Furlong carved out a long and respected career across the divisions, scoring over 200 senior goals and later transitioning into coaching.
Darnell, his son, has taken a more consistent route as a modern full-back for Ipswich, where he made 38 Premier League appearances following his time at Queens Park Rangers and West Brom. He is widely recognised for his athleticism and defensive intelligence.
Together, they represent two sides of English football’s evolution, a father who embodied the traditional centre-forward’s graft and a son thriving in the game’s faster, more tactical era.
12. Gordon Strachan (96 apps) & Gavin Strachan (14 apps)
Gordon Strachan was a fiery midfielder whose energy at Leeds United and Southampton made him one of the more colourful figures of the Premier League’s early years.
This was after his five-year stint at Manchester United. Although when he played for United, the Premier League had not yet been formed.
Gordon's son, Gavin, didn’t enjoy the same impact, but his appearances with Coventry and his later coaching career, like his dad, have kept the Strachan name alive in the sport. This duo embodies how footballing knowledge often transcends playing time, flowing naturally into mentorship and leadership.
11. Patrick Kluivert (25 apps) & Justin Kluivert (70 apps)
Patrick Kluivert’s time in the Premier League was short-lived, remembered for his spell at Newcastle United after a glittering career in Europe. His son Justin, however, has carved out his own reputation as a versatile winger.
With experience in Italy, Spain, and now England with Bournemouth, Justin has already outlasted his father’s stay in the league and is now one of the top 7 players with two away hat-tricks in a Premier League season.
This pairing shows how legacies evolve differently, as one is a global star with a fleeting English chapter, while the other is steadily growing his name in the modern game.
10. David Johnson (14 apps) & Brennan Johnson (111 apps)
David Johnson’s footballing journey was forged in one of Liverpool’s golden eras. David was a forward who won four league titles and three European Cups while scoring for both Merseyside giants, Everton and Liverpool, which is a feat still shared by only one other player.
A sharp, industrious striker, Johnson was part of Bob Paisley’s relentless winning machine that stamped its imprint on English football long before the Premier League era began.
His son, Brennan, has carried that competitive spirit into the modern game, emerging from Nottingham Forest’s academy to shine for Tottenham Hotspur with his pace and fearless directness.
If Brennan represents the Premier League’s new generation of attacking flair, it’s built on a foundation his father helped cement, a family name already etched in English football history.
9. Alan Cork (46 apps) & Jack Cork (304 apps)
Alan Cork was known for his hardworking presence at Sheffield United in the league’s early days, but his son Jack has built a far larger footprint.
With hundreds of appearances for Chelsea, Southampton, Swansea, and Burnley, Jack has become a model of consistency in midfield. Their story captures the shift from the grit of the 1990s to the tactical polish of the modern Premier League era.
8. Gus Poyet (187 apps) & Diego Poyet (3 apps)
Gus Poyet lit up the league as a stylish midfielder for Chelsea and Tottenham, remembered for his late runs into the box and ability to score crucial goals.
His son Diego had a far briefer time in the Premier League with West Ham United, but together they represent contrasting careers: one built on established flair, the other a fleeting glimpse of top-flight football.
7. Steve Bruce (148 apps) & Alex Bruce (48 apps)
Steve Bruce captained Manchester United during one of their most dominant eras, renowned for his leadership, toughness, and knack for scoring from set-pieces.
His son Alex, a defender like his father, spent time with Birmingham and Hull City, often working under Steve’s management. Their intertwined paths are a rare case where father and son not only shared a profession but also stood side by side in the same team environment.
6. Kevin Campbell (325 apps) & Tyrese Campbell (4 apps)
Kevin Campbell was a true Premier League stalwart, starring for Arsenal, Everton, and West Brom with over 80 goals to his name. His powerful forward play made him one of the most reliable strikers of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Tyrese, his son, has appeared sparingly in the top flight but has shown flashes of promise with Stoke City in the Championship. The Campbell name remains a respected one in English football, built largely on Kevin’s enduring contributions.
5. Rory Delap (359 apps) & Liam Delap (42 apps)
Rory Delap’s long throw-ins became one of the Premier League’s most iconic weapons during his time with Stoke City. Beyond the throw, he was a tireless midfielder, clocking nearly 400 appearances.
His son Liam is a forward, brought through Manchester City’s academy, and now gaining Premier League experience. While Liam’s career is still unfolding, the Delap bequest is already firmly inscribed into the competition’s history.
4. Paul Ince (306 apps) & Tom Ince (48 apps)
Paul Ince was one of the defining midfielders of the 1990s, part of Manchester United’s first Premier League-winning side, and later captained England. His drive and authority made him a central figure wherever he played.
His son, Tom, followed in his footsteps with a career that included Liverpool’s academy and Premier League spells at Crystal Palace and Huddersfield, accumulating 48 appearances and three goals.
Though Tom’s impact hasn’t matched his father’s, the Ince family remains deeply tied to the league’s early narrative.
3. Ian Wright (213 apps) & Shaun Wright-Phillips (316 apps) & Bradley Wright-Phillips (32 apps)
Ian Wright’s goalscoring feat at Arsenal made him one of the most feared forwards of his generation, with 113 Premier League goals.
His sons carried the baton in different ways: Shaun became a mainstay in the league with Manchester City, Chelsea, and QPR, while Bradley featured for City before enjoying a prolific career in the U.S.
Together, the Wright family represents one of the league’s most diverse and enduring lineages, combining flair, consistency, and a global footprint.
2. Alf-Inge Haaland (181 apps) & Erling Haaland (102 apps)
Alf-Inge Haaland was a versatile defender and midfielder for Nottingham Forest, Leeds, and Manchester City, remembered for his reliability and toughness. His son Erling, however, has already rewritten the Premier League record books.
In his debut season at City, Erling smashed the single-season goalscoring record and helped secure a historic Treble.
With back-to-back Golden Boots and a dominant physical style, Erling has elevated the Haaland name into global superstardom, surpassing his father’s career in breathtaking fashion.
1. Peter Schmeichel (310 apps) & Kasper Schmeichel (284 apps)
Peter Schmeichel set the gold standard for goalkeepers, anchoring Manchester United’s dominance through the 1990s with five Premier League titles and a Champions League crown.
His commanding presence made him one of the most influential figures in the league’s history. His son Kasper forged a career of equal distinction, famously leading Leicester City to their fairytale Premier League title in 2015/16.
Between them, the Schmeichels have defined excellence between the posts for two different generations, making theirs the greatest father–son legacy in Premier League history.
Comments