[4] By 1901, Travis's father was working as a chimney sweep and the household comprised an additional four siblings, his widowed grandmother and two aunts.
[12] He then joined Southern League club Norwich City, and made his debut on 12 October 1912 at home to Portsmouth; the Evening News reported that "young Travis did very well in the centre, and was always on target with his shots".
[13][14] He finished the season with two goals from ten first-team appearances,[15] and after a couple of months back with Hurst in the Lancashire Combination,[16] he signed for reigning North-Eastern League champions Darlington.
Travis scored freely until the end of the season, his goal return including four of Darlington's five against Carlisle United in February.
[24] Drawn against First Division Sheffield Wednesday in the first round proper, Travis had a goal disallowed because Dick Healey was standing in an offside position; the match finished goalless.
[33] Travis played occasionally at the end of the season, and had to take over in goal at Southport Central in April when Andy Greig broke his arm.