George Nelson, writing in The Yorkshire Evening Post on September 19, says:—" John Roberts on Saturday issued a cartel to the champion, H. W. Stevenson. In this Roberts is harking back to last season, for it refers to a challenge then issued by Stevenson to Roberts which the latter seems very anxious to accept. In this Stevenson offered to concede Roberts 10,000 in 30,000 for £250 a side.
Personally I should not fancy Stevenson's chance in such a match. The two have not met since that memorable battle at Caxton Hall, in 1906, when the fortnight's takings were close upon £4,000. Roberts's share alone, although he lost, amounted to £2,000. Then Roberts gave 2,000 start in 18,000, and the result was a win for Stevenson, though on level terms Roberts scored more than he. If another match is brought about it would be an undoubted draw, for there are many thousands of devotees who still think Roberts the best player that ever was, or ever will be, and that despite his sixty-four years he is yet capable of tackling the best.
It is over forty-one years since John Roberts won his first championship.