The match was played under artificial light, not kicking off until 9.15pm; possibly the first time Sunderland had played under lights. The lights had cost £280 to install and £8 per match to run. The goal posts were yellow and five balls coated in a white dye/paint were used during the game. Also, the players wore numbers on their backs, another probable first for Sunderland. Numbers were used in the FA Cup Final of 1933, but weren't adopted universally until the start of the aborted 1939-40 season.