The 1990-91 season proved to be tough times for Reading FC, they did not enjoy a good season in the third division, finishing it off in a poor 15th position. They were even less fortunate in the cup competitions, losing 2-1 to Oxford United in the league cup first round and they also crashed out the first round of the FA Cup, losing 2-1 to Colchester United. The 1991-92 season saw Mark McGhee being installed as their new manager at the start, they reached the third round of the FA Cup, eventually losing 2-0 against a well organised Bolton side. They had a decent season in the third division, finishing in a respectable mid table finish in 12th place.
The 1992-93 season saw a dramatic improvement in their performances and the Royals counted themselves unlucky to miss out on a play off place, they finished the season off in eighth position, winning an impressive 18 matches along the way. They crashed out of the FA cup in the third round, suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat against Manchester City.
The 1993-94 season was arguably one of the finest seasons in the history of Reading football club, they dominated the second division, winning the league championship by the end of the campaign, gaining 89 points en route to victory, in turn, resulting in automatic promotion to the second tier of English football. Jimmy Quinn was in outstanding form through out the campaign, scoring an astonishing 40 goals, winning the title as the top goal scorer in the football league. Mick Gooding was also inspirational through out the campaign and Mark McGhee and Reading FC celebrated what proved to be a fine season. The royals were less fortunate in the domestic competitions, they reached the second round of the league cup, losing to Man City and they crashed out the FA cup in the first hurdle, losing to Cambridge United.