The 1994-95 season proved to be another huge success for Reading FC, Mark McGhee spent half the season in charge before Jeff Hopkins was installed as manager and he produced heroics at the club, lifting Reading to second position in the first division, in their debut season in that tier. They were most unfortunate not to be promoted to the top flight as they reached the play off final, meeting Bolton Wanderers in the final, after taking a 2-0 lead at half time, Reading eventually lost the encounter 4-3, and cruelly missed out on promotion to the top flight. Jimmy Quinn and Gooding both stopped playing for the club at the end of the season and were installed as their full time managers. The 1995-96 season produced no similar luck for Reading, they crashed out in the league, finishing the campaign off in 19th position, just doing enough to avoid relegation. They did have a decent run in the cup competitions, they were unfortunate to meet Manchester United in the forth round of the FA cup, losing the encounter 3-0, to the eventual winners of the competition. They embarked on one of their best ever runs in the league cup, finishing off the competition in the last eight, suffering elimination against Leeds United, losing the tie 2-1. The 1996-97 season proved to be a debacle for Reading, they finished the season off in a dismal 18th place, struggling for the majority of the season. They crashed out early from the league cup, losing to Wycombe in the first round of the tournament, losing 2-0. They once again reached the forth round of the FA Cup, this time losing 3-0 to Portsmouth FC. Jimmy Quinn and Mick Gooding left the managerial post at Reading by the end of the campaign as Terry Bullivant stepped in charge at the club. His reign in charge at the club was short lived as Reading were terrible in the first division. They finished the season off in rock bottom place, resulting in relegation back to the third tier of English football. Alan Pardew was installed as their new manager mid way through the season and the club did however have decent runs in the cup competitions, they were impressive in the league cup, reaching the last eight, losing against Middlesbrough in the quarter finals, 1-0. They also reached the fifth round of the FA cup, only narrowly losing 1-0 against Sheffield United. Pardew promised success for his future seasons in charge.