Collis began his career at Barnet before signing for Nottingham Forest in 2000. After failing to break into the first team at Forest, Collis signed for Yeovil Town on a free transfer, going on to make over forty appearances for the South West team. During his time at Yeovil, Collis spent short loan spells at Tiverton Town and Aldershot Town with talks also from Exeter City. Collis was always 2nd best between the sticks at Yeovil but was the perfect replacement for when Chris Weale got injured or sent off in matches. When Steve Collis first joined Yeovil he was only able to feature in Cup matches as Chris Weale was just beginning his long rein in goal. Collis was given the number 22 shirt being the third choice keeper after Number 1. Chris Weale and number 13. Jon Sheffield. Jon Sheffield then retired from football making Collis able to step up through the ranks, although an injury to Weale in the 2004 season saw Sheffield return to be second best to Collis after Collis claimed the Number 13 shirt and Sheffield took the number 31. He was also first choice whilst the injury carried on to keeper Ryan Northmore. Steve Collis needed to join a club where he was guaranteed a first team place but after a move to Southend, his career never really took off. Collis spent his best days at Yeovil even if his time was cut short.
Southend
After leaving Yeovil, Collis signed a two-year contract in 2006 to become Southend's first signing ahead of the new season in The Championship, but was released by the club at the end of the 2007–08 season.
Following his spell at Southend, Collis signed for Crewe Alexandra as a replacement for departing goalkeeperBen Williams. His first game in goal saw him save a penalty. On 1 January 2010, Crewe agreed to terminate his contract after he had lost his place to on-loan keeper John Ruddy, allowing Collis to sign for Football League Championship side Bristol City. Collis joined Torquay United on a seven-day emergency loan deal on 6 May 2010, for Torquay's final game of the season against Notts County. Collis was released by Bristol City at the end of the season.
Collis signed a short-term deal with Peterborough United on 6 August 2010. He was then released after his loan move to Northampton Town when Peterborough invested in Exeter City Keeper Paul Jones.
On 29 January, Rochdale lost their keeper as a late transfer so they were one keeper down. Their manager searched for a non-contract experienced keeper and went for the Buxton 31-year-old. Steve Collis therefore signed a short-term deal with Rochdale to take him to the summer. "Goalkeeper Steve Collis was drafted in on Thursday as a replacement for Ben Smith who has departed the club in a bid to find regular football closer to home. Hill explains more: "It is difficult with the 'keeper situation because you're either in goal or you're on the bench. As a centre half you may be able to play full back or in midfield so you've got alternatives, but it's not very often that a goalkeeper will get replaced. It was an ideal situation to get Steve here as he's got experience."
