Darius Vassell had to sit in the crowd and watch Aston Villa's 2000 FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea as a fan.
It is why, this year, he is hungry to pick up his first major trophy in a decade of football - as a Manchester City player.
Vassell never won any silverware with Villa and was injured for the 1-0 defeat against Chelsea six years ago.
But now the FA Cup could bring joy for the former England player if City can see off his former club in their fifth-round replay. Thereafter he would face either Bolton Wanderers or West Ham United in the quarter-final.
Vassell's blushes were saved at Villa Park on Sunday as he spurned two gilt-edged chances before 17-year-old defender Micah Richards headed home an injury-time equaliser. It keeps alive City's hopes of featuring in the last eight for the first time in 13 years.
Vassell said: "It would be nice if this was the year to win something. There are other rewards as well, with Europe and everything. Whoever wins the replay, I hope they go on to win it.
"You want to win something. I've yet to win a trophy in football, so personally it would be great to get there.
"I had a broken ankle for the final with Chelsea.
I still went and watched and supported the team as a Villa fan. It was a great day out - but it would have been nice to play.
"We've got to get through the replay before we think of anything else.
"All the teams left in the competition are Premier-ship teams, and that makes the preparation for games a little easier.
"But, on the day, any team can win. That's the way the FA Cup goes."
Richards is confident City can win at the second time of asking. He said: "We played so well at Villa. We had 21 shots altogether and in the first half we should have been at least 4-0 up. Bring them back to our place, and we'll stuff them."
