In 1931, Exeter City became the most successful third division team in the FA competition that year. With this success inevitably came a regional spike in interest. Consequently, City's replay against Sunderland on the 4th March 1931 was screened in the King's Hall Picture House in St Thomas, as the city centre experienced gridlock from the sheer mass of fans rushing to St James Park to see the game.

To this day, the game against Sunderland drew the largest attendance in the history of St James Park, standing at 21,013 spectators.