Portsmouth F.C. (basketball)

Formation and 1984–85 season

For an undisclosed sum, Deacon acquired nine players—Dave Treasure, Steve Nelson, Pat Morrison, Marty Headd (later replaced by Mike Owen), Ian Pollard, Lee Irwin, Dave Harris, Julian Taithe and Dale Shackleford—and the franchise of a club that had lost all 13 league matches that season. Danny Palmer was appointed coach on 17 January.

The club was officially named Portsmouth FC Basketball Club but promoted simply as 'Portsmouth'. Americans Headd (32 points) and Shackleford (24 points) top scored. A burst pipe delayed work on the Mountbatten Centre's floor, so a 'home' game against Kingston Kings on 26 January was also held at Fleming Park.

1985–86 season

After remaining unbeaten in friendlies, they won their first 16 matches, including 11 in the league. On 23 October they beat league champions Kingston 99–86 at Tolworth Recreation Centre.

The unbeaten run ended in the National Cup semi-finals on 15 December, when a revised line-up—after Joel Moore suffered serious eye injuries and Jose Slaughter replaced him—lost 75–92 to Kingston. Their first league defeat came on 22 December, an 82–79 home loss to Hemel & Watford Royals. Six victories in 18 days set up a title decider at home to Kingston on 5 February.

1986–87 season

Dan Lloyd became player-coach. Eleven consecutive league wins followed, ending with an 89–74 defeat at Leicester on 9 January 1987. The title was confirmed on 18 February when Alan Cunningham made a lay-up with two seconds left for a 90–88 win at Hemel & Watford. The trophy was presented after the final home game on 20 February, an 85–90 defeat by Manchester United.

1987–88 season

Dan Lloyd became a full-time coach for 1987–88. New players included Marc Glass, Kenny Stancell (soon replaced by Rich Strong), Jason Colgan, Roy Lewis and Russell Taylor. Larry Dassie's number 8 vest was retired. Portsmouth played five games in five days in France, winning two of three matches against French top division clubs.

Portsmouth gained revenge with an 81–73 away win, starting a run of seven successive league victories. The sequence ended with a 99–82 loss at Kingston on 25 November, which proved to be their last league defeat; they won 18 consecutive league games to clinch back-to-back titles. The balcony was packed, and advertising boards prevented floor seating. Portsmouth led 43–39 at half-time in a game marked by defending and short scoring runs.