Tommy Allison played for New Brighton before joining Reading in 1901. Syd King, the new manager of West Ham, decided to bring in several new players in 1903. This included Allison, Charlie Satterthwaite (New Brompton), William Kirby (Swindon Town) and Herbert Lyon (Reading). Allison soon became a key figure at West Ham. The West Ham defence included Allison, George Kitchen, Frank Piercy, David Gardner, Len Jarvis and Bill Wildman. During the 1906-07 season the team only conceded 41 goals in 38 games. For five years Allison hardly missed a game: 32 (1903-04), 31 (1904-05), 30 (1905-06), 38 (1906-07) and 29 (1907-08). Tommy Allison retired after playing his last game on 10th April, 1909.