 He then returned to the reserves and his apprenticeship, appearing once more, in the last match of the 1996–97 season away to Doncaster Rovers, before turning professional in July 1997.He played another 30 times for Torquay, including the 1997–98 play-off final due to regular keeper Ken Veysey being suspended, before moving to Crystal Palace in October 1998 for a fee of £400,000.He joined Swansea City on loan in February 1999, before making his Palace debut in a 1–0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage in April 2000.