The Royals in recent times have been in a precarious situation when it comes to the number two goalkeeper. Former Fulham and Stoke City keeper David Button, who signed as a free agent in 2023, became the Royals second-choice and last true back-up goalkeeper after Joel Pereira proved himself to Ruben Sellés.

A 28-year-old Pereira was brought in to compete with Button (35) and a declining Dean Bouzanis (33).

Button started as Sellés’ first choice from Matchday two in the 2023/24 League One season with a 1-0 loss away at Port Vale. He then played 35 consecutive league matchdays but after conceding 54 goals and only keeping eight clean sheets.

(Image: JasonPIX)

The former Stoke keeper fell ill prior to Reading’s clash against promotion-chasing Derby County at Pride Park in March 2024 and Pereira was given the nod. In a game considered the definition of a baptism of fire, the Reading keeper put on a memorable league debut performance. He faced 18 shots, saved five and conceded two (A set-piece that should have been defended better, and a questionable penalty) for a final result of 2-1.

He impressed Sellés so much so that he made the manager rethink who his first-choice keeper was. "I think he was extraordinary today," Selles commented on Pereira's league debut. "I think he has been waiting for his moment for a long time. David is sick so he had his opportunity and he has made it really difficult for us to make a decision in the future."

Pereira would be the main keeper for the rest of the season keeping three clean sheets and conceding 10 goals in the eight successive games. His form continued to impress both Selles and Noel Hunt when he eventually took over, and he forced Button to become the back-up keeper.

His work ethic, determination and hunger to be the first-choice keeper earned him the spot and the role of vice-captain. A back-up keeper that pushed Button and eventually surpassed him.

Reading FC v Wycomber Wanderers - The EFL Vertu Trophy. Southern Group C. (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Moving swiftly to the modern-day and Jack Stevens hasn’t reached that level with Reading nor does it seem likely.

The former Oxford United and Cambridge man made a promising start to life in Berkshire with Noel Hunt giving him the nod in the Carabao Cup. He helped the Royals reach the Third Round after only conceding two goals against Championship side Portsmouth and League One newcomers AFC Wimbledon.

Though Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham worked its Disney magic to put two past Stevens and knock Reading out of the cup in September 2025.

Stevens then played in the EFL Trophy and conceded four goals in three games, keeping one clean sheet, which saw the Royals out of the competition on goal difference.

Pereira picked up an injury in October after a 1-1 draw with Exeter City and Stevens was forced to step-up into the role for three games. Reading picked up four points and Stevens kept one clean sheet – but Stevens’ goalkeeping reactions were there for all to see, knee-jerky, anxious and far from commanding.

Hunt was sacked after a poor run of form and Leam Richardson was brought in – the first game for the former Wigan and Rotherham manager was the First Round of the FA Cup against Carlisle United. Stevens being the back-up keeper took the nod in goal and in astonishing fashion conceded two goals in the space of five minutes of extra time to blow a 2-0 lead.

A poorly defended freekick that fell for Regan Liney kindly in the box was smashed past Stevens. Then minutes later with what looked like a tame shot from Liney somehow bounced under the keeper’s hands and ended in the back of the net forcing the Royals to play another 30 minutes of football. To complete the hattrick, Liney saw an out of position Stevens and fired the ball from the edge of the box to the far corner.

For the rest of the season Stevens played two games with the U21s helping them secure two 4-1 wins against Blackburn and Derby.

It was clear that Richardson was not entirely impressed nor were the fanbase – as this season the boss chose to play Joel Pereira ahead of him in the Carabao Cup. ‘El Gato’ secured the qualification the Third Round only to fall to Premier League side Brentford in a controversial game.

Stevens’ first game this season would be against Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy where the Royals won on penalties 4-2. He then dropped back into the U21s for additional match minutes for minutes and played in the Premier League Cup against Bristol City and played out a 2-1 defeat. His most recent game was against another youth team that being Chelsea U21s where he was at fault for two goals in the EFL Trophy.

In a season where the Royals are clambering about promotion to the Championship and playing like a top six side, it’s hard to see where Jack Stevens fits in that and how he would push Joel Pereira to be better whether in training or to fight for the number one spot.

The best deputy goalkeepers make managers think twice. Pereira did exactly that when he arrived at Reading. More than a year into his Royals career, Stevens has yet to create the same dilemma. With promotion the target and standards rising across the squad, Reading may soon have to decide whether they need a different option behind Joel Pereira.