Manager Hayden Mullins and Newport County are familiar with FA Cup drama.
New Port is famous for its FA Cup run, record-breaking giants and have seen games at Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the past decade.
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Mullins will be able to draw on some of his memories of the competition which will include two sides in the county’s first-round tie against League side Walsall on Saturday.
The former Crystal Palace midfielder knows best how much magic, agony and opportunity the FA Cup can provide.
Mullins reached the Wembley showdown with Portsmouth in 2010 after missing out on the final in Cardiff four years earlier.
“I missed the last one against Liverpool. I should have been let off in a league game against them,” Mullins said.
“I was told, I remember, by the manager, ‘Don’t cut anyone off, because if you get a straight red, you miss the final.’
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“And I ended up having a mission with Luis Garcia, which wasn’t my fault.”
Alan Pardew West Ham pushed Liverpool all the way and looked on course for victory, leading 3-2 deep into stoppage time at the Millennium Stadium.
But Steven Gerrard’s stunning strike forced extra-time before Rafael Benitez’s side eventually prevailed on penalties.
“We had a really good run with West Ham, we got to the final and we were maybe a Steven Gerrard kick away from winning,” Mullins added.
“He scored one of the best goals. He went 35 yards with the spasms, and it was one of those finals where we thought we were going to win it.
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“We were very unlucky.”
Hayden Mullins missed the 2006 FA Cup final after being sent off in a dispute with Liverpool’s Luis Garcia. [Getty Images]
Four years later it became Mullins’ second FA Cup glory, this time with Portsmouth.
Playing at left-back against a star-studded Chelsea side featuring Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and John Terry, Mullins finally seized the opportunity to play on the biggest domestic stage.
However, the silverback disappointed him again as Drogba’s free-kick secured a 1-0 victory, as Chelsea had missed a Kevin-Prince Boateng penalty for Pompey shortly after.
Those experiences helped shape Mullins as a manager and continue to shape the culture he is building at Newport.
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The County boss sees similarities between the current side and the West Ham team who reached the final in 2006.
“I can see some real similarities in that West Ham team to what we’re doing,” Mullins said.
“How good we were at that time, because we were good, dynamic and aggressive. I’ll take pieces like that and try and apply them when I’m working here with these guys.”
Despite never lifting the trophy, Mullins’ love of competition only grew.
“The FA Cup itself was a fantastic competition for me,” he said.
“I grew up watching the FA Cup and for our generation one of the highlights was the FA Cup final.
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“It’s a fantastic competition. To be able to throw something is so magical.”
The appeal of the competition also played a part in the decision to support Tottenham as a child, inspired by the club’s regular cup fortunes.
And that North London connection runs the memory of one of the most famous FA Cup runs.
In the 2017-18 season, the exiles were beaten by Walsall in the first round before embarking on a remarkable journey that eventually brought Spurs to Rodney Parade.
Newport had already beaten Leeds in round three and watched one of the biggest results in the club’s history when Padraig Amond put them ahead against the Premier League in the fourth round.
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But Harry Kane struck late to force a replay at Wembley – Spurs’ temporary home in a stadium redevelopment – where a 2-0 defeat ended the dream of Mike Flynn’s side.
With Walsall drawn again with Newport in the round-robin this year, Mullins will be hoping to match some of the success of Volcana’s rivals.
“This club has got history in the cup,” Mullins said.
“For any football club, a really good run in the FA Cup is always healthy. We know it generates revenue and puts eyes on the players.
“Getting to the final has generated a lot of exposure in our groups, so I know what this competition can do for your club, but also for yourself.”
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And the midfielder is well aware of the attributes a team needs for cup success.
“You have a good side, you have to ride luck sometimes and you will have it in the game,” he added.
“We have a tough game against Walsall this afternoon, who are doing really well, but hopefully we can come through it positively.”