team until the 2001–02 season, when he made his debut starting in the Royals' 4–0 defeat of Luton Town in the League Cup first round on 21 August 2001. He made his next appearance, again in the Cup, on 10 October during Reading's 1–0 defeat by Aston Villa at Villa Park. From then onwards, Shorey established himself in the first-team, where he made 36 further appearances for the first-team and helped the club to second position in the Division Two table, achieving promotion to the First Division in the process. Shorey remained a regular first-team member for the 2002–03 season, making 48 appearances across the campaign, including two appearances in the play-off defeats to Wolverhampton Wanderers. He scored his first professional goal on 29 October 2002 in a 1–0 win against Bradford City at the Madejski Stadium. He scored his second goal of the season on 15 April 2003 when he scored from the penalty spot during a 5–1 win against Preston North End. In the opening match of the 2003–04 season, Shorey was sent off during the 1–1 draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road. He had another consistent season, racking up 41 league and cup appearances and scoring twice, once against Walsall on 28 December 2003 in a 1–1 draw, and another in a 2–1 win over Sheffield United on 28 February 2004. However, following the 0–0 home draw with Stoke City on 13 March, Shorey noticed that his foot has swelled and was throbbing, and by the time he reached hospital, the situation had become serious. Doctors had informed Shorey that they may need to amputate his foot. He received an intravenous drip in hospital for two weeks, and underwent treatment at his home for the following three months. Shorey recovered in time to be involved in the first match of the 2004–05 season on 7 August 2004, a 3–2 home win against Brighton & Hove Albion. He scored three goals that season, with one in a 2–1 away defeat to Derby County, the only goal in a win away to Stoke, and the only goal in a win over Queens Park Rangers, on the way to making 48 appearances in all competitions. In the 2005–06 season, Shorey was an important figure in the Reading team that won the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League with a record of 106 points. He also scored twice