John Herdman and his eldest son, Jay Herdman, played football in the backyard of their home. Having a passion for football since an early age, Jay was named to the New Zealand U20 squad for the 2022 OFC Championship in Tahiti.
Similarly, he scored in his debut match for the New Zealand U20 team on September 7, 2022, leading to an 8-0 victory over the Cook Islands U20. After winning the OFC U-19 Championship, New Zealand earned a spot in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder for the Vancouver Whitecaps 2 is following in the footsteps of his father, a former Football Ferns and current Canada national men’s team coach.
John Herdman was active in Canada, qualifying for the men’s World Cup for the first time in 36 years. They placed him ahead of perennial powerhouses Mexico and the United States in CONCACAF qualification.
Likewise, younger Herdman stated that he intends to be in Qatar to support his father, but first, he must qualify for his own World Cup with the Junior squad.
John Herdman Son Jay Herdman Plays For Whitecaps FC
Jay Herdman is a midfielder for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, but he is more prominently known as the eldest son of John Herdman.
Similarly, he joined the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy as a 12-year-old in 2017 after playing for Surrey United SC in the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League.
Herdman has spent his preseason with the Whitecaps FC’s first squad for the past two years, including a preseason game in 2021 against Indy Eleven.
In contrast, he made his professional debut on March 26 during the MLS Next Pro season, losing 1-0 against the Houston Dynamo 2 at AVEVA Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Jay Herdman To Represent New Zealand At The OFC Under-19 Championship
In September of 2022, Jay Herdman was selected to represent New Zealand in the OFC Under-19 Championship in Tahiti. He hopes to become the second member of his family to earn a spot in a football World Cup.
According to Stuff.co.nz, he was listed as one of the 26 members of the New Zealand team on the OFC website.
The team released on the website also features Wellington Phoenix duo Finn Surman and Jackson Manuel, although it was lowered to 23 before New Zealand Football announced it.
Herdman, an 18-year-old midfielder, plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps’ reserve squad in the MLS Next Pro division.
He Is Eligible For New Zealand Through Birth
Herdman is qualified for New Zealand by birth, England by parentage, and Canada through the residence. His father was a Football South development officer.
As reported by Stuff, he was the only overseas-based player chosen for New Zealand’s 23-man roster, which was led by Wellington Phoenix first-team defender Finn Surman.
Herdman was chosen for a training camp for Canada’s under-20 team earlier this year, which fell in line with a few unofficial friendlies against Costa Rica.
Through his parents, he is also qualified to represent England, but he stated that he had a strong preference to represent his own nation.
Jay Herdman Was Awarded Golden Ball After New Zealand’s OFC U-19 Championship Victory
According to Friends of Football, New Zealand midfielder Jay Herdman earned the Golden Ball trophy as the most valuable player at the OFC U-19 Championship competition in Tahiti.
Herdman made his New Zealand debut at the 11-nation tournament, having switched allegiances from Canada, for whom he had already played at the age group level.
In addition to winning the OFC Championship, New Zealanders received individual accolades for scoring 33 goals and allowing none in nine hours of play. Likewise, Kian Donkers of Cashmere Technical and Oliver Colloty of Melville United tied for the Golden Boot with nine goals each.
Brief Look At Jay Herdman Relationship With His Father John
John Herdman shares a special bond with his children as he began teaching them football from a young age. His son and daughter have played football with their father since childhood.
As the eldest Herdman offspring, Jay began playing football as a kid and is now making his name in the football world. The father-son team can be seen practicing football in their backyard.
Apart from football, the father-son pair relishes spending time together; for instance, in 2014, the Herdmans went to the Ladner auto show as a dad and son’s day out.
Furthermore, most of his Twitter posts show him on a football field with his children. His son is seen wearing a blue jersey and clutching a football, while his father expressed gratitude to KiwiGoal for the hoop, adding Jay can now train morning, noon, and night without tearing a hole in the fence.
Jay Herdman Parents First Met When They Were Teens
Jay Herdman was born to his father, John, and his mother Clare Herdman in Invercargill, New Zealand. His parents first met when they were at the age of 16.
The couple has been together for almost three decades and has always had each other’s back. Clare, 45, has basically followed her husband across the world, supporting him, since their wedding.
Likewise, he also has a younger sister named Lily-May who is currently 11 years old.