 After two full seasons at Anfield but no first team appearances, Paterson spent four years with Bristol City, where he was loaned to Cardiff City in 1997.He then embarked on a series of moves around Britain which saw him spend no more than a season at any one club, and which included a short stint (between Carlisle United and Plymouth Argyle) back in the Highland Football League with Huntly FC, where his older brother was centre half at the time.He also had a spell at Cambridge United during this period.