The foundation of Deccan XI, surprisingly, is a chain reaction of activities not really directly associated with football. In 1984, Deccan Gymkhana members of Table Tennis, Gymnasium, Tennis and Basketball wanted some sort of fun and relaxation from their respective games and daily practice sessions. This started in the form of a short game of football.
It started with 7-8 people, with numbers quickly soaring to 25-30 within 2 months. The activity, which was started for fun and relaxation, soon turned into a regular and main feature of the evening.As the numbers grew, the game, once occupying a mere corner of the ground, assumed larger proportions and occupied the entire ground. Deccan Gymkhana did not have a dedicated football ground, neither did the Gymkhana management have any intention of starting football, as Cricket was the main sport. The authorities raised an objection and started taking action against the players. The football activity soon came to a standstill.
At the time, one of the members, Mr. Avinash Adige made up his mind to pursue football over any other game, if not on Deccan Gymkhana, then elsewhere. He relinquished his Gymkhana membership and started searching for an alternative location. The search ended at the BMCC (Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce) ground adjacent to Fergusson College, which was a proper football ground. The most important task on hand was to reassemble a team. With the valuable support of his family friend, Yashodhar Deodhar, this endeavor was initiated. The members trickled in very slowly, as there was nothing to offer or attract them.
