The revival began in earnest when former players Stacey Jones and Awen Guttenbeil were appointed the Pt Chev coaches for 2010.
"In some ways, it's hard to believe," says Jones. "They've come a long, long way. It wasn't a great situation. The club didn't have many players and were struggling to make ends meet.
"At our first meeting, I asked the club what they could provide. They said, 'we can give you fresh air and water'. We had to source kit, cones, footballs ... everything."
"We were starting from a long way back," says Guttenbeil. "But once you get some momentum, things can happen."
The duo roped in other high-profile names such as Wairangi Koopu and Karl Te Nana and won the third-tier Phelan Shield in 2010, beating Otara 37-12 in the final. The following year, they stormed through the Sharman Cup, earning promotion to the first division.
Achievements on the field created momentum off it, with long-time league supporter Autex Industries cited as a principal factor.
The Avondale-based company were the first sponsors of the Kiwis, in 1981, and became the main sponsor at Pt Chev soon after Jones and Guttenbeil got involved.
"Without Autex, we wouldn't have been able to get things going," said Jones. "They provided a solid base."
Grant Pocklington took over as coach in 2012, ushering in the unprecedented era of success. Before 2013, the last time Pt Chev ruled Auckland league was 1953. He and other observers put the success down to their special culture.
"It's ours and it works," says Pocklington. "We have a strong culture on and off the field. We train hard, we play hard and we enjoy a beer together. Some people might not like us but that's their problem."
Pocklington created a bond which saw players travel from as far as Pokeno and Hibiscus Coast up to five times a week this season. There were trainings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and most of the team convened in the city for gym sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays.
"We kept those voluntary because these guys have families, they have partners, they have work," said Pocklington. "But almost everybody comes. They want to be together."
Along with the Mt Albert Lions, the Pirates have set the standard in fitness and professionalism in recent years, and have frequently prevailed despite being behind late in games.
However, Pt Chev's success hasn't been universally popular. There was a tanking episode in 2012 which saw the club kicked out of the Fox Memorial playoffs and an unsavoury incident after the fulltime whistle in last year's Fox final, when a Mt Albert player was pushed to the ground after missing a match-winning kick in the final minute of extra minute.
"It's a bit like Manly or the Roosters in the NRL," says Jones. "I think they thrive on being unpopular."
"A bit of adversity galvanises a team," says Pocklington. "Not everyone is going to like us but I hope they respect us."
Fox dynasties
Clubs who have won three or more Auckland Rugby League Fox Memorial titles in a row since 1965
Mt Albert Lions: 1984, 1985, 1986
Northcote Tigers: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
Glenora Bears: 1997, 1998, 1999
Pt Chevalier Pirates: 2013, 2014, 2015
