The 1980-81 season was a decent one for Maurice Evans and Reading FC, they finished the season off in the top half of the table, in 10th position, they were less lucky however in the domestic cup competitions, they reached the first round of the FA Cup, crashing out against Fulham, losing the match 2-1. They were eliminated out of the league cup in the second round, losing to Luton Town on penalties. The 1981-82 season was another decent one for the Royals, they reached a mid table finish at the end of the season once again, finishing off in 12th place. They were poor in the cup competitions, exiting in the first round in the FA cup, losing 1-0 to Bournemouth and losing to Charlton in the first round of the league cup.
The following season, 1982-83, proved to be a debacle for the Royals, they finished off the season in 21st position, in turn relegating the club back to the forth division, they were even worse in the cup competitions, suffering an embarrassing defeat against non league football club, Bishops St’ in the first round of the FA Cup, they also crashed out the league cup in the first hurdle, losing 4-0 on aggregate to Oxford United.
They kept faith with Maurice Evans the following season, believing that he was the correct man in charge at the club, he proved to help them back to a quick return to the third division, Reading FC finished the campaign off in third place, in turn promoting the club immediately. They narrowly missed out on the second round of the League cup, losing on the away goals rule to Colchester, after a thrilling two legged 6-6 draw. They crashed out of the FA cup in the second round losing 3-0 to Oxford United.
The start of the 1984-85 season witnessed the appointment of new manager, Ian Branfoot at the club and he made an immediate impact, the royals were strong through out the season as they finished it off in ninth position. They also reached the third round of the FA Cup, losing a thrilling contest against Barnsley, 4-3.