David Button's FA Cup record is not exactly a stain on his career record.

It is more a blank – or a void just waiting to be filled.

The Albion goalkeeper can set himself up for a new personal best at the Hawthorns tonight.

Victory over West Brom in the fourth-round replay could allow him to play a third FA Cup tie for the same club – for the first time in his career.

More than ten years after making his debut in the competition, various circumstances mean he has only played eight FA Cup ties.

The only win came against non-league Staines with Brentford.

That is either as a result of not getting into the team or being the first choice who was rested in the cup.

The latter was the case when he stepped down to allow Jack Bonham game time in the third round of 2014-15 for Albion’s trip to Griffin Park.

It was Chris Hughton’s first game in charge of the Seagulls.

Button was on loan at non-league Grays when he made his FA Cup debut at Carlisle in the first round back in November 2008.

That was the day Albion were held 3-3 at Withdean by Hartlepool in a game notable for a spectacular own goal by Colin Hawkins.

Gary Madine, still going strong at Sheffield United, was the man who scored past Button that day.

Button has been on loan to 11 different clubs (13 loans in all), quite apart from being contracted to Tottenham, Charlton, Brentford, Fulham and now the Seagulls.

But he has never played three FA Cup ties for the same club.

That could change against Derby in the fifth round – IF tonight’s replay at the Hawthorns is safely negotiated.

He told The Argus: “It was a long journey for me, but I always talked about my loans as positive experiences, getting to work with different clubs and managers.

“It would have been the easy option for me to stay at Spurs and play meaningless reserve games, but I always wanted to test myself and play men’s football.

“That’s something I looked to do from an early age.

“You don’t realise at the time it tots up, the amount of teams you played for, but I’m proud of every club and all the experiences it has given me.

“It has obviously helped get me where I am today.”

Button’s FA Cup debut for Albion came in the first meeting with West Brom when injury ruled out Jason Steele.

That was during Mathew Ryan’s absence on international duty at the Asian Cup.

We cannot be sure who would have played tonight now Ryan has returned, had Steele not been struggling with a wrist injury.

But Button played in the Carabao Cup when all three keepers were available, which might be a guide.

The visit of the Baggies was all set to be Steele’s big day, an eagerly-awaited home debut after making his first appearance in the third-round win at Bournemouth.

Button said: “Injuries are part and parcel of football.

“The timing of it wasn’t great for him because he would probably have got his opportunity to play.

“But he’s a great guy and very supportive. I’m sure he will be back fit soon and competing with me and Maty.”

Button has reached this stage of his career the hard way.

The Argus:

Two weeks after that FA Cup debut at Carlisle he was part of the Grays side who lost 2-0 at Lewes in the Conference (pictured above).

His eight FA Cup ties to date include just that one win, as Brentford dismissed Staines 5-0.

As well as Grays, in the replay at home to Carlisle, he has suffered defeats with Doncaster, Charlton, Brentford and, last season, Fulham as they bowed out 1-0 at home to Southampton in the first round.

So perhaps his answer, when asked whether he has any special FA Cup memories, was no surprise.

He said: “Not particularly, certainly not playing. I haven’t done too well or I’ve been rested.

“Just growing up watching it I know what it means to people. It’s a great opportunity for the club now to progress and really make a good go of it this year.”

So can Button add West Brom to Staines on the short list of teams against whom he has enjoyed FA Cup success?

Asked what he expects from the Baggies, he replied: “Similar again. We know they’ve got a very good squad.

“Just coming down from the Premier League, they’ve got some very good players so were able to make those changes and still put out a really good side.

“We know it’s going to be tough but I think we showed in the first game we probably should have won.

“Their keeper (Jonathan Bond) played really well on the day.

“It will probably be a little more difficult away but we are going into it confident and hoping we can win.”

And that would be a landmark result on Button’s long path.