As we approach the business end of the campaign, referee appointments for season-defining fixtures will be made up and down the country.
For the players involved in such games there will be winners and there will be losers, but for the officials involved it's the appointment in itself that's considered a victory.
Whether you're up in the stands, out on the grass or watching at home - there's always a different feel about a cup final.
So we've enlisted the help of former top flight referee Chris Foy to offer his advice to any official who might be lucky enough to take charge of a big occasion over the coming months.
Foy's crowning career moment came when he took charge of the 2010 Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley but memories of his very first final 23 years prior have not yet escaped him and his wise words may pay dividends to the next generation of officials.
Do you remember the first cup final you officiated in?
It was the St. Helens & District Football Combination League Cup Final back in 1987. It was many moons ago now but I remember it well - it was a Good Friday morning and I was ecstatic to be appointed because it showed that I'd worked hard enough to be trusted with a final.
What were your thoughts and feelings leading up to that game?
Because it was still in grassroots football, I was reffing week-in week-out on my own so that game was actually my first experience of having a linesman and an assistant referee.
It was a whole different way of operating because we had to gel as a team and make sure that we made the right decisions as a group of officials.
We had to think about taking collective responsibility for the game because it wasn't about any of us individually and it never is - people should always be talking about the match and not the officials.
Do you treat the preparation any differently for something like that?
The one thing that stands out for me that is majorly different is just the length of time you spend at the venue before the game. I call it 'escaping the clutter of the changing room' but it's essentially getting used to your surroundings and understanding where you will be refereeing when the big game comes.
When you're given any cup final to officiate it is always a time to celebrate but you need to remember that the season isn't over at that point. You've got to ensure that you keep your performances at a consistent level right up until that final because that is what's got you there in the first place. When the season is over and the final is the only game left to take charge of - that is when you can put your full focus on it.
Is there a cup final you refereed that sticks in your mind and if so why?
The 2010 FA Cup Final was a very proud day for me and my family because it gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent and proved that I was worthy of that appointment after all those years of hard work.
To be trusted by to deliver the game to decide the biggest domestic trophy was something very special for me in my career. I actually gave two penalties in that game, one was saved and the other was missed, but in that moment you just have to remember the basic principles of football and apply the laws of the game.
All the hype and hysteria must be blocked out and you don't referee the occasion, you simply referee the match.
Can you offer one final piece of advice for anyone taking charge of a cup final this season?
It sounds quite simple but forget about everything else and focus on what you've got to do. Prepare exactly the same as you have been previously because it is that which has got you to the cup final.
Make sure you're hydrated, teamwork is vital and forget about the occasion because it just comes down to one game of football in the end. And if you go out and referee with dignity and professionalism then you will reap the rewards in the long-run.
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