The experienced defender was part of the U’s side that welcomed Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur to the JobServe Community Stadium in the fourth round of the competition under Kevin Keen, in 2016.

More than a decade on, Vincent-Young is hoping another cup adventure could be around the corner as Colchester prepare to take on Worcester City in the first round.

And with Danny Cowley and brother Nicky having enjoyed their own famous FA Cup journey with Lincoln City, reaching the quarter-finals before facing Arsenal in 2017, Vincent-Young believes the competition can provide special memories.

“I’m really hopeful that we can go on another good run,” he said.

“I love the FA Cup. It’s such a good competition and anything can happen.

“The boss and Nicky had a great run themselves at Lincoln and ended up playing Arsenal.

“It’s a good first-round draw but you have to be humble and they’re very much deserving of their place and, as we’ve seen, shocks can happen at any point.

“I always think the cup games are a nice distraction from the league and they can give you confidence.

“If we can go on a run and end up playing one of the big teams, it will just be great for everybody, the fans, the players, the staff, because these are the opportunities that we all kind of live for.”

Cup clash - Colchester United and Spurs players following the FA Cup fourth-round tie between the teams, in 2016 (Image: Steve Argent)

Vincent-Young already has first-hand experience of one of those occasions.

He started at left-back when Colchester hosted Tottenham in January 2016, with the Premier League side eventually claiming a 4-1 victory.

His introduction to the occasion was particularly memorable, after coming up against England international Kieran Trippier almost immediately.

“I remember playing left-back. In the first 10 seconds, I tried to steam in on Kieran Trippier and he megged me!” recalled Vincent-Young.

“So that was like, ‘welcome to the level’, to be honest with you!

“But it was a great experience.”

Harry Kane was also among the Tottenham stars Vincent-Young shared the pitch with that afternoon, giving the defender another lasting memory from Colchester’s cup run.

“I’m glad to have had the opportunity to have shared a pitch with him,” he said.

“I think he’s three years older than me, so I would have trained with him a few times when he was in the 21s, and then he obviously jumped up to the first team pretty quickly.

Star man - Harry Kane in action for Spurs against Colchester United, in 2016 (Image: Steve Brading)

“His achievement is phenomenal.”

For Vincent-Young, this season also carries the possibility of a significant personal landmark.

Having originally joined Colchester as a youngster before earning a move away and eventually returning to north Essex, the 30-year-old is closing in on 200 appearances for the club.

It is an achievement that would mean plenty to a player whose association with the U’s stretches back well over a decade.

“When I came here, I arrived as a boy who had never played men’s football,” said Vincent-Young.

“I found my way, left for a while and then came back.

“I owe this club so much. I’ve played under many different managers and had many different dressing rooms but fundamentally, the place hasn’t changed.

“Every day, it’s always a huge privilege and pleasure to play and represent the club and it’s not something that I take lightly.

“Hopefully, I hit 200 this season and it’ll be a nice moment to celebrate for myself and my family.”

Before thoughts can turn to landmarks or glamorous later-round ties, however, Colchester must negotiate the first hurdle.

And Vincent-Young's own FA Cup experiences ensure he will not be taking Worcester lightly.