Following in their father's footsteps.....

It's a well known fact that most young boys idolise their fathers and have a burning desire to please and make them proud. 

This desire is no different for the offspring of some of the biggest names to star in the English Premier League who long to follow in their footballer father's footsteps and make a name for themselves at one of England's top Premier League clubs.

Some are led to believe that a boy whose father was a former professional footballer would benefit from certain doors opening for them over the course of their burgeoning career. 

This is certainly not the case because every professional player within the modern game at some point would have been subjected to numerous tests and trials as a youth in order to prove their worth. If a club feels that the player won't go on to make it they are released, it's as simple as that. 

Just because you have a famous father and surname it doesn't give you a right to expect to be signed up by a professional club. Brooklyn Beckham for example has just been released by Arsenal's academy which shows that this practice clearly doesn't happen in the game.

Here we have a list of fifteen current professional players who have followed their father's career path into the game:

Kasper Schmeichel - son of the "Great Dane" Peter Schmeichel currently plays as goalkeeper for Leicester City and the Danish national side. Growing up in Manchester, Kasper often played football in the streets with Alex Bruce, son of Steve Bruce. They ended up playing in the same side at Leeds United in 2010.

Alex Bruce - son of former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce is a defender with a playing style much like his father who currently plays for Hull City under his father's management. He has also previously played under his father at Birmingham City.

Niall Keown - son of former Arsenal defender Martin Keown is also a defender and has just made his first team debut for Championship side Reading. He has also recently been called up to the Republic of Ireland under 21 squad.

Dan Potts - son of former West Ham United defender Steve Potts also plays as a defender at West Ham United. He has represented England at under 18's, under 19's and under 20's.

Jack Barmby - son of former Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Everton, Middlesbrough and Hull City player Nick Barmby currently plays as a midfielder for Leicester City after spending much of his youth career at Manchester United. He has represented England at under 16's, under 18's and under 19's.

Devante Cole - son of former Manchester United striker Andy Cole currently plays as a striker and is part of the Manchester City academy but is currently out on loan at League One side Milton Keynes Dons. Devante Cole has represented England at every level since under 16's.

Elliot Lee - youngest son of former Newcastle United midfielder Rob Lee, is currently on loan at League Two side Luton Town from West Ham United.

Oliver Lee - Rob Lee's eldest son currently plays as a midfielder for Plymouth Argyle on loan from Birmingham City.

Darnell Furlong - son of former Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea striker Paul Furlong plays as a defender and has recently made his debut for QPR in the Premier League.

Thomas Ince - son of former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince plays as a winger under his father's former team mate Steve Bruce at Hull City although he is currently on loan at Derby County. Still only 23 years old, Ince has made 157 professional club appearances and scoring 43 goals.

Tyler Walker - son of former Nottingham Forest defender Des Walker currently plays as a striker for Nottingham Forest. Although yet to make it to the first team he has caught the eye of a host of Premier League sides after some eye-catching displays for the Forest youth side.

Angus Gunn - son of former Norwich City keeper Bryan Gunn is goalkeeper for the Manchester City Elite Development Squad and is widely tipped to become Joe Hart's successor. He has also represented England at under 20's level.

Diego Poyet - son of former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gus Poyet currently plays as a midfielder for West Ham United. He has represented England at under 16 and under 17 level but is also eligible to play for Uruguay through his father.

Ellis Bellamy - son of former striker Craig Bellamy currently plays as a winger / striker for Cardiff City under 18's and the Welsh under 17's. 

Josh Windass - son of former Hull City and Middlesbrough striker Dean Windass is currently playing for League Two side Accrington Stanley as a midfielder.

Visit our site Premier League Heroes for information and statistics on all of your favourite ex Premier League players.

Players dropping down from the Premier League

Whilst watching the summer activity going on in the transfer market yesterday I saw that Leeds United are potentially going to re-sign former players Jonathan Woodgate, Lee Bowyer and Alan Smith. This in my opinion would be a great coup as all 3 players still have a lot to offer at the highest level providing they stay injury free. The news got me thinking about other players that dropped down into the lower leagues whilst in the twilight years of their playing careers:

Craig Bellamy - After being left out of Man City's Europa League squad for the 2010-11 season, Bellamy joined his hometown Cardiff City on a season loan. He proved to be an instant success with a 35 yard free kick on his debut and he went onto to score 10 more goals in the season which helped Cardiff reach the Championship play-offs. He has since returned back to Man City but has not ruled out a permanent move back to Cardiff.

Paul Ince - After his release from Middlesbrough in 2002, Ince dropped down a division to join Wolvehampton Wanderers. In his first season he helped them get promoted to the Premier League via the play offs but after one season they were back down. Ince went on to play 115 games for Wolves scoring 10 goals. He has stated that he would love to return to the club as manager.

Denis Irwin - The Irishman joined Wolves at the same time as former Manchester United team mate Paul Ince and was part of the team that were promoted to the Premier League in 2003. Following the team's relegation in 2004, Irwin retired at the age of 38

Teddy Sheringham - When Premier League team Portsmouth decided not to offer 38 year old Sheringham a contract he decided he would drop down a division and play for West Ham. A fantastic year for Sheringham led to him becoming the  division's third-highest goalscorer with 20 goals and he also won the Championship Player of the Season award.

Dennis Wise - After his sacking from Leicester City, Wise moved to First Division Milwall in 2002, becoming player manager in 2003. A successful season with the club culminated with them reaching the FA Cup Final where they lost 3-0 to Manchester United. As United had already qualified for the UEFA Champions League, Milwall qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history unfortunately getting knocked out in the first round.

Paul Merson - Merson joined newly relegated first division club Middlesbrough in 1997 after they doubled the wage terms offered by Arsenal. He was instrumental in the club's immediate return to The Premier League. After a term with Aston Villa, Merson signed for first division club Portsmouth in 2002 and again was a key player during their successful promotion winning season.

Darren Anderton - After an injury plagued career with Portsmouth, Tottenham, Birmingham and Wolves, Anderton joined League One club Bournemouth on a "pay as you play basis" in 2006. Although the club at the time were struggling on the field, Anderton's performances were superb and he scored his first career hat-trick during his time at the club

Nick Barmby - After his club Leeds United were relegated from The Premier League in 2004, Barmby joined his hometown club Hull City. In his first season with the club he helped them gain promotion from League One and in 2008 he was instrumental in getting Hull promotion to the Premier League. Barmby is still playing for the club to this day.

Kevin Phillips - After experiencing Premier League football with Sunderland and Aston Villa, Phillips dropped down to The Championship in 2006 and joined West Brom. Phillips had 2 seasons with the club and scored 38 times in 71 games to help them gain promotion back to The Premier League in 2008. Phillips then stayed in the Championship and moved to Birmingham City where he also helped them get promoted back to The Premier League.

Ian Harte - After leaving Blackpool in 2009, Harte signed for League One club Carlisle United. He ended up helping the team regain League One status after scoring 18 goals from defence. In 2010, Harte signed for Championship team Reading and had a great season scoring 10 goals and making the PFA Championship team of the year.


Visit my Premier League Shop for all your Official Premier League Team Merchandise and Gifts.

For information and statistics on legends of the Premier League take a look at Premier League Heroes