Adam Henley made his first senior start at Anfield, his second against Manchester United, and has also represented Wales at international level, so is used to the big occasion.
The full back, now with Chorley, will use all that experience as his side prepare to face Premier League opposition in Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday at Victory Park.
A remarkable run for the Magpies has seen them beat higher league opposition in rounds one, two and three, with wins at Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United followed up a home success against Derby County earlier this month.
Their reward was another home tie against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, leaving Henley excited, but also recalling his early days coming through the ranks at Rovers.
He told The Daily Star: "We have to treat the week as normally as possible and it's important that everyone in the squad realises it's just another game of football.
"You can't get too over excited - this is the mentality we have to have. It is great for the town and the club, but we have to focus on the job ahead."
Henley was 17 and making his way in the game, with just two substitute outings under his belt before being handed his first start against Liverpool, the club he supporters.
A 1-1 draw came on Boxing Day 2011, and five days later he would also start an historic win for Rovers at Old Trafford.
"I got goosebumps walking out at Anfield," he continued.
“Hearing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was amazing and I remember getting Jamie Carragher's shirt after the game.
"I grew up a Liverpool fan so it was like a dream come true and then a few days later I was at Old Trafford helping Blackburn win. I didn't get a United shirt that day though, they were all so annoyed at losing none of them would swap!"
Henley, although born in Tennessee, moved to the UK at the age of two and grew up in Chorley, where he still lives. He qualifies for the Welsh national team through his mum and has won two senior caps.
Released by Rovers following 94 appearances, relegation to League One and a tough period with injuries. He went onto join Real Salt Lake City before returning to English football in the summer of 2019 to spend a year working with Gary Bowyer at Bradford City.
Without a club again, Henley signed for Chorley, now in the National League North following relegation last season, with another Rovers Academy graduate, Willem Tomlinson, also on the club’s books.
Chorley look set to bank around £500,000 from their cup run, invaluable finances during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Henley, who has FA Cup pedigree, part of the Rovers side that took Liverpool to a replay having made it through to round six in 2015.
"It's definitely given everyone a huge lift. The middle of 2020 was really tough and things were looking really dark for everyone connected to the club," said Henley, a second half substitute in the Derby win.
"The fans and people depend on the club, so the atmosphere this cup run has created, everyone needs moments like these.
"It's just a great experience for everyone and we should relish it. Occasions like these are why I cherish the FA Cup so much."
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