Reece arrived at Solitude on a free transfer after being recommended to the club by former player Keith Alexander, who had been his manager at Ilkeston[8] and former teammate at Grimsby. He made his debut for the Belfast club in the final of the 1996–97 County Antrim Shield and he saved a penalty in the penalty shootout, ensuring Cliftonville won the trophy for the first time since 1979.[9] He subsequently wore the number one shirt during the club's Irish League title winning season the following year[10] and became established as a club legend in the eyes of the supporters.[11] Reece would also appear for the Reds in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against MFK Košice the following season[12]
Reece subsequently returned to Ilkeston Town, remaining on the club's books until his retirement from playing in 2003. He worked as a goalkeeping coach for Nottingham Forest, Mansfield Town and the Derby County youth team before fulfilling the same role at football training camps.[13]