He was picked up by Birmingham in 1933, but 18 months at St Andrew's yielded no appearances in the first team, and Wallis moved on to Bristol City in August 1934.
He almost missed the game, arriving at the ground 15 minutes before kick-off after manager Davis had appealed to railway officials at Paddington station to allow a non-stop train to Newport, Wales, to stop at Badminton, Gloucestershire, before a taxi took Wallis and fellow player Bill Pendergast to Bristol.
[5] During his first full season with the club, Wallis made 63 appearances in all competitions throughout 1938–39, scoring 23 goals and helping his side to the Southern League title.
[2][6] His final Colchester goal was a late consolation during their 4–2 Mid-Week Section home defeat by Norwich City Reserves on 4 May 1939.
[2][8] He, along with many of his teammates, then played their last competitive game for Colchester on 2 September 1939, in a 0–0 draw with Ipswich Town Reserves ahead of the war.