Saturday 14 June 2008 will go down in the history books of the Central United Football Club as a very special day.
The club was playing a Chatham Cup third round match away against Te Puke United.
However, the final result, a 5-0 victory, or indeed the spectacle itself, will not be the main reason why this match will be remembered for a very long time by the club's loyal supporters.
During the second half of this encounter Central's ace striker Grant Young, aged 37, was joined on the field by his son Shaydon, aged 16, who plays as a winger.
As Shaydon stepped onto the field of play, history was created...
This was the first time in the 46 year-old history of the Sandringham-based club that a father and son had appeared together in a senior first team match for the club.
Central United President Ivan Vuksich said the club was proud and elated at this new record.
"Grant is a special player who has contributed enormously to the success we have enjoyed at Kiwitea Street over the past few seasons. His professional attitude, physical conditioning and work ethic are a fine example to the many talented youngsters, such as Shaydon, that we have at the club. Everyone at Central United was thrilled to see them out on the park together...it was something quite unique that may never happen again."
Grant, a former South African international has won just about every footballing honour available in the game in this country. He has twice been named the New Zealand Football Championship Player of the Year and has also won the Golden Boot as top goalscorer in that competition. In addition to these individual honours he has three NZFC titles to his name along with an Oceania Champions League medal and last year was part of the victorious Central United team that won the Chatham Cup.
Many a tormented defender around the country has had sleepless nights reliving moments a quick-heeled Young left them spreadeagled as he raced towards goal. Just when many thought these days may be coming to an end soon...they now find themselves confronted by not one, but two, yellow shirts emblazoned across the shoulders with the name "YOUNG".
And as for talk of retirement, Grant won't have any of that. He simply loves the game too much and judging by his stellar performances this winter there's still plenty of life left in those "young" legs yet...
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