 He then joined Exeter City on loan on 22 September 1988 before signing permanently on 8 March 1989 for a fee of £10,000, where he first played under manager Terry Cooper.During Dryden's time at Exeter, he made a total of 92 appearances and also spent time on loan with Manchester City.While at Exeter, he played a major part in their 1989–90 Fourth Division title triumph.