| Like true thoroughbreds that have been put out to stud, these dads not only reached the pinnacle of their sports but also fathered suitably skilled offspring to continue their legacies. Now, don’t feel inadequate, but imagine what your little ‘uns might have achieved if you weren’talways picked last in PE. |
| 1. JJ Williams Rhys Williams |
Rapid winger JJ earned 30 caps for the legendary all-conquering Welsh side of the seventies and went on two tours with the British Lions, while also finding time to run in the sprint relay at the 1970 Commonwealth Games. With pace to burn he was bound to produce nippy nippers and so it proved with three kids who have represented Wales on the athletics track. Youngest son Rhys is definitely the pick of the bunch, breaking the Welsh record for the 400m hurdles and winning bronze and silver medals at last year’s European Championships.
Verdict: Welsh whippets |
| 2. Frank Oliver Anton Oliver |
Frank and Anton are the only father-son duo to have captained the All Blacks but the similarities don’t end there. Amazingly, Anton made his debut on the same ground and against the same opposition as his father did in his first game in 1976 – against Eastern Province at Port Elizabeth in case you were wondering. Anton is one of the elder statesmen of the current All Blacks squad and in September will be hoping to achieve something his father never did – a World Cup win. Of course, the rugby World Cup didn’t actually exist when Frank was playing.
Verdict: Grand Slam grand-daddy |
| 3. Ian Wright Shaun and Bradley Wright-Phillips |
Cheeky chappy Ian Wright’s got five kids and two of them are professional footballers. One could be forgiven for thinking that the Arsenal legend is trying to breed his own football team, specially when you learn that a third son, Brett, has had trials with Reading and Crystal Palace. Shaun cost Chelsea £24m, while younger brother Bradley moved to Southampton for a slightly more modest fee. We’re sure, however, that Ian values them both the same.
Verdict: All Wright |
| 4. Captain Mark Phillips Zara Phillips |
Following in both Dad and Mum, Princess Anne’s saddle prints, Zara is an elite threeday eventer, and is the current European and World Champion. Winning individual gold at last year’s World Equestrian Games also resulted in Zara landing the BBC’s illustrious Sports Personality of the Year award, her Mum having won the award in 1971. Eleventh in succession to the throne, stunning Zara is the definitive posh totty, and her romantic life has often been the subject of tabloid headlines. She currrently lives with England rugby star Mike Tindall.
Verdict: Royal off-spring |
| 5. Ian Botham Liam Botham |
The multi-talented Bothams were obviously the kids at school who were brilliant at every sport. While ‘Beefy’ was busy becoming England’s leading test wicket taker and inspiring the side to the historic 1981 Ashes triumph, he also managed to play 11 games for Scunthorpe United and son Liam proved to be equally versatile on the sports-field. He initially began to follow in his father’s considerable cricketing footsteps, before deciding to play professional rugby instead. As you do. Clearly all that Shredded Wheat his dad made him eat did some good.
Verdict: Prime Beef |
| 6. Alex Ferguson Darren Ferguson |
Call it nepotism if you like, but we reckon it’s quite warming to see a father picking his son for the football team he manages. Manchester United fans might not agree, however, having endured 27 average performances from Sir Alex’s son, Darren, in the early 90s. Fergie junior has since followed his father into management, almost taking Peterborough to the League 2 play-offs in his first season at the helm. Darren often picks Gavin Strachan in his starting XI, whose father Gordon played under Sir Alex at United.
Verdict: Fergie’s fledgling |
| 7. Muhammad Ali Laila Ali |
Winners breed winners and no one liked winning more than the legend himself Muhammad Ali. It’s not surprising to learn that when his daughter Laila took up the noble art, she too dominated in the ring, winning three world titles from her 24 unbeaten bouts. In 2001 she beat Joe Frazier’s daughter, Jackie, in a fight reminiscent of the legendary Ali-Frazier bouts of the 1970s. She is, however, reluctant to compare herself to Dad. “We’re two different people but I know that I naturally have boxing skills that most people probably don’t have.”
Verdict: A knockout pair |
| 8. Micky Stewart Alec Stewart |
Opening batsman and expert catcher. We could be talking about either Micky Stewart or his son Alec. Both of them captained Surrey, both played for England, both have been named Wisden Cricketer of the Year and both have been awarded an OBE. Remarkably similar careers it seems, but whereas Micky only made eight appearances in the whites of England, son Alec managed a whopping 133 – more than any other player. Although Micky did also play football for Charlton Athletic and Wimbledon, so he probably didn’t have much time for winter tours to the Caribbean or the subcontinent.
Verdict: Howzat! |
| 9. Old Tom Morris Young Tom Morris |
Tom Morris Senior was a pioneer of golf and introduced many aspects of the modern game, such as having 18 holes on a course. ‘Old Tom’, as he was known, also won four of the first eight Open Championships. In 1867, at the age of 46, he became the Open’s oldest ever winner and the following year his son, Tom Junior, became the youngest champion ever, aged just 17. ‘Young Tom’ went on to win four consecutive Open titles, with his dear old dad even finishing second to him in 1869.
Verdict: Golf’s ‘fore’ father |
| 10. Brian Clough Nigel Clough |
Brian Clough’s achievements are legendary, having guided unfashionable Nottingham Forestto the First Division title and two European Cup triumphs. Son Nigel played under him at Forest,becoming the club’s second highest goalscorer and earning 14 England caps in the process, but it seems his father was the only manager to get the best out of him, with spells at Liverpool and Manchester City proving less successful. A move into management seemed inevitable for Clough junior and he has since led Burton Albion to the brink of the FootballLeague.
Verdict: Like father, like son |
