He joined Colchester United in the Southern League, but his career was interrupted by injury and World War II.
His mother died when he was four-years-old and his father, who had worked on the RMS Titanic, was killed as an innocent passer-by in a gun battle between the IRA and the Black and Tans.
[2] Allan joined Chelsea in 1936, but damaged his cartilage on his debut for the reserve team, never making a first-team appearance for the club.
[1][2] During the war years, Allan made guest appearances for Dundela, Bangor and Crewe Alexandra.
[2] Following the war, Allan settled in the Colchester area, marrying a local woman and returned to work in the metal industry.