 He helped the club to the Second Division championship under Steve McMahon in 1995–96, ahead of initial first choice left-back Jason Drysdale, before leaving the club at the end of that season despite being named on the PFA Team of the Year for the second time in his career.He was signed by his former teammate Jimmy Quinn at Reading in July 1996.He made 36 appearances in the 1996–97 campaign despite being told he would only be used as emergency cover in case on injuries.