Allison ran a sideline in writing about his own team's exploits, and he was eventually convinced by his editor to become a full-time journalist.

Four years later he became greyhound correspondent for the Sporting Life and began to write Gunners' Mate in Arsenal's matchday programmes.

After the war Allison also moved into broadcasting, joining the BBC and becoming the first person to commentate on the radio on events such as the Derby and the Grand National (with the BBC's racing correspondent Meyrick Good), as well as the annual England v. Scotland international, and the FA Cup Final in 1927, between Cardiff City and Arsenal.

Having been a keen footballer in his youth (although he failed to make the grade as a professional, the best being a trial with Shildon), after his move to London in 1906, Allison soon became associated with Woolwich Arsenal.

Under Chapman and caretaker manager Joe Shaw, Arsenal had already won the League Championship twice in a row, in 1932–33 and 1933–34, and Allison made it a hat-trick, winning a third successive title in 1934–35.

[7] After hostilities had ended, many of the players that had made Arsenal a success (such as Cliff Bastin and Ted Drake) had retired from playing.

Arsenal finished a disappointing 13th in 1946–47, and Allison, by now in his mid-sixties and tiring of managerial life, decided to step down and retire from the game.