After failing to establish himself at Villa Park under Ron Atkinson, Mortimer returned to South London with Crystal Palace.
After less than three years he was transferred back to Charlton Athletic, alongside David Whyte in exchange for Darren Pitcher.
Under the management of former teammate Alan Curbishley, Mortimer often played well in the early part of the season but then suffered hamstring or back injuries.
After helping the club into the Premier League in 1998, he again played in the country's top-flight missing a crucial penalty against Leeds United towards the end of the season.
[2] He left the following year, moving to lower league side Bristol City where he ended his career in 2001.