This was the first occasion that Sunderland wore the famous red & white stripes, not the earlier game against Notts Mellors that many sources quote. From the Sunderland Echo: "The home team appeared on the field after being photographed in their new costume, a red and white perpendicular striped jersey with white knickerbockers". From the Newcastle Daily Chronicle: "The home side wore their new uniform of red and white vertical stripes and white knickers for the 1st time and they looked very pretty when they took the field." Note the presence of Erskine in the Augustine's line-up; they were a man short and Sunderland allowed their player to make up the numbers. Note the orignal strip featured white, not black shorts. However, by the time of the next known team photograph (v Cambuslang 8/9/1888), The Lads had adopted the black shorts.