[2] Born in Huddersfield,[3] Allison joined Halifax Town as a trainee in August 1986, breaking into the first-team before signing a professional contract in July 1987.
On 25 February 2008, Allison left Chesterfield due to limited playing options as well as lack of support from the board for his application as assistant manager.
After Davies was sacked on 10 November 2008, Allison became Chester's caretaker manager but he informed the club he would not be applying for the position on a permanent basis.
Allison was involved in leading the team on the day but then announced he was leaving the club despite being offered the chance to remain.
[12] In 2010 Allison completed a PhD at Sheffield Hallam University studying the effects of high-intensity exercise on decision-making in football.
[13] It was announced in early 2017 that Allison would replace Christian Edwards as the first team coach of Welsh Premier League side Cardiff Metropolitan University.