Level on pyramid Level 3 Date founded 1936 Promotion to Soviet First League Relegation to Soviet Second League B | Most championships 11 clubs (2) Country Soviet Union Folded 1991 | |
Last champions Karpaty Lviv
Asmaral Moscow
Okean Nakhodka Current champions FC Karpaty Lviv, FC Asmaral Moscow, FC Okean Nakhodka Instances 1991 Soviet Second League, Zone East | ||
The Soviet Second League was the third highest division of Soviet football, below the Soviet First League. The division lasted from the inception of Soviet league football in 1936 to the dissolution of USSR in 1991.
Contents
Overview
The League was established in 1936, but was discontinued after the 1937 season for over 15 years. The experimental edition of the League was introduced in 1946. But the consistent League takes its roots from 1963. Prior to 1990, the league was divided into multiple regional zones (as many as 9) and the top finishers of those zones would take part in an additional mini-tournament to determine which teams get promoted to the Soviet First League. In 1991, the regional zones became a part of Soviet Second League B, while the Soviet Second League was split into 3 major regional zones, West, Center, and East. The group winners of these zones would now qualify for the Soviet First League.
The most titles of the League won was two by 11 different teams out of various now independent republics. The last winners of the League were FC Karpaty Lviv, FC Asmaral Moscow, and FC Okean Nakhodka.