Portsmouth had significantly improved during the previous few years and Alan ball was attempting to guide the club back in to the top flight. Portsmouth were unfortunate to miss out on promotion at the end of the 85-86 season, they finished the campaign off in forth place and their star player during the season was their goal keeper, Alan knight, he was in outstanding form and mad it impossible for the opposition to score against Pompey.
The 1986-87 season was one of full of joy for Portsmouth, they were in outstanding form through out and with the likes of Jimmy Gilligan, Graeme Hogg and Mike Fillery all coming through, they surged their way to the top of the second division, in turn earning promotion back into the top flight, Alan ball was the hero of Portsmouth and Pompey were back in the top flight for the first time in 29 years. Their superiority clearly showed as they were promoted with three weeks of the campaign to spare.
The return to the top flight was short lived, Portsmouth had a decent start to the 87-88 season, however after the Christmas period they faltered completely, many blamed the distraction that the FA Cup brought to the team as they surged their way in to the last eight of the competition. Many players were bought at the start of the season, however it could not keep the club safe from relegation, including England international, Gary Stevens. Pompey only managed to win seven of their 40 matches, losing a whopping 19 of them.
The 1988-89 season was a disaster for the Portsmouth players, they struggled in the second division, fortunate not to be relegated as they ended it off in 20th place. They also struggled in the cup competitions, losing 3-1 to Swindon Town in the third round of the FA cup and crashing out of the league cup in the second round, stumbling out against Scarborough.
The 1989-90 season was an improvement on the previous, they settled for a mid table 12th position at the end of the campaign. The signing of striker Mark Chamberlain proved to be crucial as he was Pompey’s leading goal scorer. Portsmouth was unlucky to go out in the second round of the league cup, losing on penalties against man united. They were eliminated out of the FA Cup in the third round, losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace.