Paul Jewell never thought former team-mate Jimmy Quinn - his opposite number at Swindon - would go in to management.

The pair were team-mates at Valley Parade for a season and a half in the late 1980s before Quinn moved to West Ham United in a £325,000 deal during the campaign which eventually saw City relegated to the old Third Division.

Quinn eventually moved into management with Reading and came very close to taking the Royals into the Premiership.

Jewell enjoyed his time alongside the Northern Ireland striker although when asked if he was sad to see Quinn leave, he joked: "No, I was glad when he went to West Ham because it meant I could get into the team!"

He then added: "No, seriously it was great to have Quinny at the club. He was a great footballer with two very good feet and it showed that he was an international.

"He was a good lad in the dressing room as well. When he arrived here, it was clear he had a lot of experience and used it well.

"He had an aura about him although I must admit I never had him down as becoming a manager. But he has done really and proved he is a good manager."

Quinn joined City from Leicester in March 1989 and enjoyed a fine end to his first season. However after failing to match that form in 1989-90 he moved to east London and continued to enjoy a successful playing career up until he became Swindon boss last month.

Quinn built a fine side during his time as joint manager with Mick Gooding at Elm Park after taking charge in the summer of 1994.

In their first season they led Reading to second position in the First Division - a feat which under normal circumstances would have earned them a place in the top flight.

However only one team won automatic promotion that season and with Bryan Robson's Middlesbrough finishing three points ahead it was the Teessiders who went straight up.

This plunged Reading into the play-offs and after sweeping aside Tranmere in the semi-final, they lined up against Bolton at Wembley with the ultimate prize at stake - a place in the Premiership.

Jewell said: "Jimmy was a very good player and proved in his spell with Reading that he can be a very good manager as well.

"In the final against Bolton, they were 2-0 up and well in charge when they were awarded a penalty.

"Unfortunately they missed it and Bolton went on to win 4-3 after extra time. Reading could have gone into the Premiership. Has there ever been a more expensive miss than that?

"Despite the disappointment of missing out on promotion, it proved that Jimmy has what it takes to be a success as a manager.

"And he has proved that in his short time with Swindon. He has definitely had a positive effect on them.

"They beat Crewe last week when, by all accounts, they played well. They also beat Huddersfield and we know they are no-one's fools. He has probably brought a few new ideas.

"I am very pleased for him because I really enjoyed being at the same club when he was at City."

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