Polish First League
Encyclopedia
I Liga is the second level of the Polish association football league, below the Ekstraklasa and above the II Liga. Run by the Polish Football Association
(PZPN) since its inception in 1948, all teams from 2002 onwards must have professional status and a licence, issued by the Association. The league was renamed from Second League to First League in 2008.
, during the game Naprzód Lipiny - Błękitni Kielce
.
wrote about the concept, but it was not accepted by the PZPN. Eight years later, on Sunday, September 26, 1937 in Częstochowa
, a meeting of representatives of several Polish football clubs took place. They discussed creation of the national B-Class, with twelve teams:
However, the idea failed and was not undertaken until mid-1940s. Instead, games were held at regional levels in all twelve local branches of the PZPN. Each branch had it own league, called A-Class (see: Lower Level Football Leagues in Interwar Poland
.
, but representatives of the strongest centers of Polish football (Kraków
, Warsaw
, Upper Silesia
) were not interested.
In May 1948 another General Meeting of the PZPN took place and this time the delegates agreed on creation of the League. Originally, the National Second Division was supposed to consist of one group with 18 teams. However, in February 1949, a few weeks before first games, the League was augmented to 20 teams, divided into two groups - southern and northern. Winners of the historical 1949 season were: Garbarnia Kraków
(in the northern group) and Rymer Niedobczyce (in the southern group), both sides were promoted to the First League. Interestingly enough, Garbarnia and Górnik played each other for the title of Champion of the Second League, with Rymer proving itself to be the better side.
model, decided that each Voivodeship
should have at least one team in the Second League. Thus, in the 1951 season there were as many as 32 teams, divided into four groups. Next year, eight more teams were added, and the Second Division consisted of 40 teams, with 4 groups. However, level of the games suffered and in early 1953 another change was undertaken. This time, the League shrank to 14 sides, all in one group.
In 1957 the Second League was augmented one more time, this time to 24 teams, divided again into two groups. Then, in 1961, another change took place - with one group consisting of 18 teams. However, this lasted only one year and in 1962 the League consisted of 16 teams. Also, in February 1962, PZPN decided to change system of games, from spring-fall into fall-spring, like in other European countries. Shape of the Second League, established then (sixteen teams in one group) was not changed until 1973.
, following general enthusiasm over results of the national team, coached by Kazimierz Górski
, decided to expand the Second League to 32 teams - two groups, with 16 sides. This idea was warmly accepted and remained unchanged for 16 seasons, until 1988/1989. The only thing that was changed was division of the country into groups. In some years, there were "north" and "south" groups, in others - "east" and "west".
In 1989, after the collapse of the Communist system, the Polish FA decided to create one group of 20 teams. This lasted for two years, and starting in the fall of 1991, two groups of 18 teams were created (reduced to 14 sides in 1998/1999). In 1999 the two groups were merged and one Second League was created, with as many as 24 teams.
In 2000 the number of teams was limited to 20 sides, then to 18. Champions and vice-champions received automatic promotion, while third place teams competed in playoffs. The bottom four teams were relegated.
Polish Football Association
The Polish Football Association is the governing body of football in Poland. It organizes the Polish football leagues , the Polish Cup, the Polish SuperCup, the Polish League Cup, and the Polish national football team...
(PZPN) since its inception in 1948, all teams from 2002 onwards must have professional status and a licence, issued by the Association. The league was renamed from Second League to First League in 2008.
History
The Second League was officially created on May 30, 1948, but first games took place almost a year later, on March 20, 1949. Scorer of the first, historical goal of the League was Józef Kokot of Naprzód LipinyNaprzód Lipiny
GKS Naprzód Świętochłowice Lipiny - a sports club from Swietochlowice’s district of Lipiny , founded in 1920 by Alfons Maniura, who became Naprzód first chairman. Throughout the years, the club for many times changed name. In 1920-1939 and then in 1945-1965 it was Naprzód Lipiny, in 1939-1945 -...
, during the game Naprzód Lipiny - Błękitni Kielce
Blekitni Kielce
Blekitni Kielce is a defunct Polish sports club, established in 1945 in Kielce. In 1949, it became supported by Kielce's office of communist police , its official name was changed into Guards Sports Club Blekitni Kielce and hues were red-white-blue, like in other sports clubs affiliated with milicja...
.
Before World War Two
In the interbellum period, the Second League did not exist, even though there were several initiatives to create it. On November 2, 1929, sports daily Przegląd SportowyPrzeglad Sportowy
Przeglad Sportowy is the oldest and largest Polish sports daily, founded in 1921 in Kraków. In 1926 it initiated an annual, popular plebiscite for the Polish Sportspersonality of the Year...
wrote about the concept, but it was not accepted by the PZPN. Eight years later, on Sunday, September 26, 1937 in Częstochowa
Czestochowa
Częstochowa is a city in south Poland on the Warta River with 240,027 inhabitants . It has been situated in the Silesian Voivodeship since 1999, and was previously the capital of Częstochowa Voivodeship...
, a meeting of representatives of several Polish football clubs took place. They discussed creation of the national B-Class, with twelve teams:
- Brygada CzęstochowaBrygada CzestochowaBrygada Częstochowa was a soccer team from Częstochowa, Poland. The team was supported by Częstochowa's garrison of the Polish Army and in the 1930s it played in regional soccer A-Class tournament of the Kielce region. Brygada unsuccessfully tried to get promoted to the Polish Soccer League. Its...
- Dąb KatowiceDab KatowiceDąb Katowice was a former Polish sports club from Upper Silesian capital of Katowice. Founded in 1911 as SV Eiche , the club existed until September 9, 1968, when a merger with GKS Katowice took place and a new organization took over the name GKS.Dąb had numerous sports sections, including...
- Gryf Toruń
- Rewera Stanisławów
- Strzelec Janowa DolinaStrzelec Janowa DolinaStrzelec Janowa Dolina - a defunct Polish sports club, located in the settlement of Janowa Dolina in the Volhynian Voivodeship of the Second Polish Republic. It had numerous departments, including the most popular - soccer...
- Śmigły Wilno
- Unia Sosnowiec
- WKS GrodnoWKS GrodnoWojskowy Klub Sportowy Grodno was a Polish football team, located in Grodno, Poland , on the historic territory of Kresy Wschodnie ....
- HCP Poznań
- Naprzód LipinyNaprzód LipinyGKS Naprzód Świętochłowice Lipiny - a sports club from Swietochlowice’s district of Lipiny , founded in 1920 by Alfons Maniura, who became Naprzód first chairman. Throughout the years, the club for many times changed name. In 1920-1939 and then in 1945-1965 it was Naprzód Lipiny, in 1939-1945 -...
- Podgórze Kraków
- Union Touring Łódź
However, the idea failed and was not undertaken until mid-1940s. Instead, games were held at regional levels in all twelve local branches of the PZPN. Each branch had it own league, called A-Class (see: Lower Level Football Leagues in Interwar Poland
Lower Level Football Leagues in Interwar Poland
In interbellum Poland, there was not a national, Second Division, as we know it today . For example, on Sunday, September 26, 1937 in Częstochowa, a conference of A-Class teams took place, during which the possibility of creation of the Second League was discussed...
.
Creation of the League
In 1947 the idea of creating the national Second League returned and was discussed during the 31st General Meeting of the PZPN (February 1947). The League was promoted by football officials from GdańskGdansk
Gdańsk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast, at the centre of the country's fourth-largest metropolitan area.The city lies on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay , in a conurbation with the city of Gdynia, spa town of Sopot, and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the...
, but representatives of the strongest centers of Polish football (Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
, Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia
Upper Silesia is the southeastern part of the historical and geographical region of Silesia. Since the 9th century, Upper Silesia has been part of Greater Moravia, the Duchy of Bohemia, the Piast Kingdom of Poland, again of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as of...
) were not interested.
In May 1948 another General Meeting of the PZPN took place and this time the delegates agreed on creation of the League. Originally, the National Second Division was supposed to consist of one group with 18 teams. However, in February 1949, a few weeks before first games, the League was augmented to 20 teams, divided into two groups - southern and northern. Winners of the historical 1949 season were: Garbarnia Kraków
Garbarnia Kraków
RKS Garbarnia Kraków is a Polish football and sports club from Ludwinow - a historical district of the city of Kraków. The club’s unusual name comes from the nearby tannery of the Dluzynski brothers, which was the original club sponsor...
(in the northern group) and Rymer Niedobczyce (in the southern group), both sides were promoted to the First League. Interestingly enough, Garbarnia and Górnik played each other for the title of Champion of the Second League, with Rymer proving itself to be the better side.
In the 1950s and 1970s
Shape of the Second League was changed on numerous occasions. It had one, two, or even four groups. In 1950 football authorities, following the SovietSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
model, decided that each Voivodeship
Voivodeship
Voivodship is a term denoting the position of, or more commonly the area administered by, a voivod. Voivodeships have existed since medieval times in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Serbia....
should have at least one team in the Second League. Thus, in the 1951 season there were as many as 32 teams, divided into four groups. Next year, eight more teams were added, and the Second Division consisted of 40 teams, with 4 groups. However, level of the games suffered and in early 1953 another change was undertaken. This time, the League shrank to 14 sides, all in one group.
In 1957 the Second League was augmented one more time, this time to 24 teams, divided again into two groups. Then, in 1961, another change took place - with one group consisting of 18 teams. However, this lasted only one year and in 1962 the League consisted of 16 teams. Also, in February 1962, PZPN decided to change system of games, from spring-fall into fall-spring, like in other European countries. Shape of the Second League, established then (sixteen teams in one group) was not changed until 1973.
1970s - 2008
On June 27, 1973, the Polish Football AssociationPolish Football Association
The Polish Football Association is the governing body of football in Poland. It organizes the Polish football leagues , the Polish Cup, the Polish SuperCup, the Polish League Cup, and the Polish national football team...
, following general enthusiasm over results of the national team, coached by Kazimierz Górski
Kazimierz Górski
Kazimierz Klaudiusz Górski was a coach of Poland national football team and honorary president of Polish Football Union . He was also a football player, capped once for Poland....
, decided to expand the Second League to 32 teams - two groups, with 16 sides. This idea was warmly accepted and remained unchanged for 16 seasons, until 1988/1989. The only thing that was changed was division of the country into groups. In some years, there were "north" and "south" groups, in others - "east" and "west".
In 1989, after the collapse of the Communist system, the Polish FA decided to create one group of 20 teams. This lasted for two years, and starting in the fall of 1991, two groups of 18 teams were created (reduced to 14 sides in 1998/1999). In 1999 the two groups were merged and one Second League was created, with as many as 24 teams.
In 2000 the number of teams was limited to 20 sides, then to 18. Champions and vice-champions received automatic promotion, while third place teams competed in playoffs. The bottom four teams were relegated.
New name
Following the 2007-2008 season, the league was renamed as I Liga. The number of teams competing remained at 18. Teams which place 15-18 will be automatically relegated to 2. League West or East. The first and second placed teams are promoted to the Ekstraklasa.Champions of the Polish second level
- 1949 - Rymer Niedobczyce
- 1950 - Polonia BytomPolonia BytomPolonia Bytom is a Polish football club founded on 4 January 1920 in the Upper Silesian city of Bytom, during the hectic months of the Silesian Uprisings...
- 1951 - Lechia GdańskLechia GdanskLechia Gdańsk is a Polish football club based in Gdańsk, Poland. The club's name comes from Lechia, a poetic name for Poland. The club was founded by people expelled from Lwów, who were supporters of Lechia Lwów. Founded in 1945, Lechia was a powerhouse in Polish football during the mid-1950s...
- 1952 - Gwardia WarszawaGwardia WarszawaGwardia Warszawa is a Polish football club based in Warsaw, Poland. The club was founded in 1948 and is currently playing in the Polish A klasa . It participated in the Polish 1st League between 1953–1960 , 1962–1966 , 1967–1968, 1969–1975, 1978–1979 and 1981–1983...
, Budowlani OpoleOdra OpoleOdra Opole is a football club based in Opole, Poland, currently playing in the Polish First League... - 1953 - Polonia BydgoszczPolonia BydgoszczŻKS Polonia Bydgoszcz is a Polish speedway team based in Bydgoszcz who currently race in the Speedway Ekstraliga . The club has won the Polish Speedway League Championship seven times, the latest in 2002, and European Team Championship three times, the latest in 2001.- Club history :* 1920 -...
- 1954 - Zagłębie Sosnowiec
- 1955 - Budowlani OpoleOdra OpoleOdra Opole is a football club based in Opole, Poland, currently playing in the Polish First League...
- 1956 - Polonia BytomPolonia BytomPolonia Bytom is a Polish football club founded on 4 January 1920 in the Upper Silesian city of Bytom, during the hectic months of the Silesian Uprisings...
- 1957 - Polonia BydgoszczPolonia BydgoszczŻKS Polonia Bydgoszcz is a Polish speedway team based in Bydgoszcz who currently race in the Speedway Ekstraliga . The club has won the Polish Speedway League Championship seven times, the latest in 2002, and European Team Championship three times, the latest in 2001.- Club history :* 1920 -...
, CracoviaCracoviaCracovia is the Latin name for the Polish city of Kraków .The name may also refer to:* Cracovia , a sports club;* Cracovia vodka.* Cracovia White Eagles, a football club in AustraliaSee also:* Cracovian calculus... - 1958 - Pogoń SzczecinPogon SzczecinMKS Pogoń Szczecin is a Polish professional football club, based in Szczecin, Poland. The club was founded by Poles from Lwów , who had been transferred west after the Soviet annexation of Poland's eastern territories in 1945. The founders of Pogoń Szczecin had previously been supporters of Pogoń...
, Górnik RadlinGórnik RadlinKlub Sportowy Górnik Radlin is a Polish sports club based in Radlin. It has football, volleyball, gymnastics, swimming and fencing sections. The volleyball team plays in the Polish Volleyball League and the football team has previously played in the Ekstraklasa.-Football:Górnik Radlin's best... - 1959 - Odra OpoleOdra OpoleOdra Opole is a football club based in Opole, Poland, currently playing in the Polish First League...
, Zagłębie Sosnowiec - 1960 - Lech PoznańLech PoznanLech Poznań is a Polish football club based in Poznań, Poland. The club is named after Lech, the legendary founder of Polish nation.The club was established in 1922 as Lutnia Dębiec, later changing its name several times. From 1933 until 1994, the club was closely linked to Polish State Railways...
, Stal MielecStal MielecStal Mielec is a Polish football club based in Mielec, Poland. The club was established on April 10, 1939. The construction of the club's current stadium, Stadion Stali Mielec at Solskiego 1, was concluded in 1953. Currently the stadium is undergoing a major renovation... - 1961 - Gwardia WarszawaGwardia WarszawaGwardia Warszawa is a Polish football club based in Warsaw, Poland. The club was founded in 1948 and is currently playing in the Polish A klasa . It participated in the Polish 1st League between 1953–1960 , 1962–1966 , 1967–1968, 1969–1975, 1978–1979 and 1981–1983...
- 1962 - Stal RzeszówStal RzeszówStal Rzeszów is a Polish football and speedway club based in Rzeszów, Poland.- Address :*ZKS STAL Rzeszów*ul.Hetmańska 69*35-078 Rzeszów*tel./fax 8548-048, 854-65-45, 854-15-92-Current squad :- See also :...
, Pogoń SzczecinPogon SzczecinMKS Pogoń Szczecin is a Polish professional football club, based in Szczecin, Poland. The club was founded by Poles from Lwów , who had been transferred west after the Soviet annexation of Poland's eastern territories in 1945. The founders of Pogoń Szczecin had previously been supporters of Pogoń... - 1963 - Szombierki BytomSzombierki BytomSzombierki Bytom is a Polish football club from Szombierki district of Bytom. Szombierki currently plays at the sixth level of Polish football . Greatest achievement of club was championship of Poland won in 1980.-Honours:...
- 1964 - Śląsk Wrocław
- 1965 - Wisła Kraków
- 1966 - CracoviaCracoviaCracovia is the Latin name for the Polish city of Kraków .The name may also refer to:* Cracovia , a sports club;* Cracovia vodka.* Cracovia White Eagles, a football club in AustraliaSee also:* Cracovian calculus...
- 1967 - Gwardia WarszawaGwardia WarszawaGwardia Warszawa is a Polish football club based in Warsaw, Poland. The club was founded in 1948 and is currently playing in the Polish A klasa . It participated in the Polish 1st League between 1953–1960 , 1962–1966 , 1967–1968, 1969–1975, 1978–1979 and 1981–1983...
- 1968 - Zagłębie Wałbrzych
- 1969 - Gwardia WarszawaGwardia WarszawaGwardia Warszawa is a Polish football club based in Warsaw, Poland. The club was founded in 1948 and is currently playing in the Polish A klasa . It participated in the Polish 1st League between 1953–1960 , 1962–1966 , 1967–1968, 1969–1975, 1978–1979 and 1981–1983...
- 1970 - ROW Rybnik
- 1971 - Odra OpoleOdra OpoleOdra Opole is a football club based in Opole, Poland, currently playing in the Polish First League...
- 1972 - ROW Rybnik
- 1973 - Szombierki BytomSzombierki BytomSzombierki Bytom is a Polish football club from Szombierki district of Bytom. Szombierki currently plays at the sixth level of Polish football . Greatest achievement of club was championship of Poland won in 1980.-Honours:...
- 1974 - Arka GdyniaArka GdyniaMorski Związkowy Klub Sportowy Arka Gdynia is a Polish professional football club, based in Gdynia, Poland, that plays in the Polish 1 Liga. The club was founded as Klub Sportowy Gdynia in 1929. Its activities were interrupted between 1939–1945 due to the German occupation of Poland...
, GKS Tychy - 1975 - Widzew Łódź, Stal RzeszówStal RzeszówStal Rzeszów is a Polish football and speedway club based in Rzeszów, Poland.- Address :*ZKS STAL Rzeszów*ul.Hetmańska 69*35-078 Rzeszów*tel./fax 8548-048, 854-65-45, 854-15-92-Current squad :- See also :...
- 1976 - Arka GdyniaArka GdyniaMorski Związkowy Klub Sportowy Arka Gdynia is a Polish professional football club, based in Gdynia, Poland, that plays in the Polish 1 Liga. The club was founded as Klub Sportowy Gdynia in 1929. Its activities were interrupted between 1939–1945 due to the German occupation of Poland...
, Odra OpoleOdra OpoleOdra Opole is a football club based in Opole, Poland, currently playing in the Polish First League... - 1977 - Zawisza BydgoszczZawisza BydgoszczZawisza Bydgoszcz is a military-sponsored sports club from Bydgoszcz, Poland, founded in 1946. Its name commemorates a legendary Polish 15th century knight, Zawisza Czarny...
, Polonia BytomPolonia BytomPolonia Bytom is a Polish football club founded on 4 January 1920 in the Upper Silesian city of Bytom, during the hectic months of the Silesian Uprisings... - 1978 - Gwardia WarszawaGwardia WarszawaGwardia Warszawa is a Polish football club based in Warsaw, Poland. The club was founded in 1948 and is currently playing in the Polish A klasa . It participated in the Polish 1st League between 1953–1960 , 1962–1966 , 1967–1968, 1969–1975, 1978–1979 and 1981–1983...
, GKS KatowiceGKS KatowiceGKS Katowice is a Polish football club based in Katowice, Poland. The club currently plays in the Polish First League.-History:In 1963 in Katowice a special organizational committee was called with the purpose of uniting all the clubs and sporting organizations of city into one large club which... - 1979 - Zawisza BydgoszczZawisza BydgoszczZawisza Bydgoszcz is a military-sponsored sports club from Bydgoszcz, Poland, founded in 1946. Its name commemorates a legendary Polish 15th century knight, Zawisza Czarny...
, Górnik ZabrzeGórnik ZabrzeGórnik Zabrze is a Polish football club from Zabrze. The club has won numerous championships, and was a dominant force in the 1960s and 1980s. For now Górnik has the most titles in Poland. The club plays in white or dark blue - red kit, and is based at the Ernest Pohl Stadium... - 1980 - Bałtyk Gdynia, Motor LublinMotor LublinMotor Lublin is a Polish professional football team based in Lublin. The club was founded in December 1950 with their nickname The Yellow, White and Blues reflecting their official colours...
- 1981 - Pogoń SzczecinPogon SzczecinMKS Pogoń Szczecin is a Polish professional football club, based in Szczecin, Poland. The club was founded by Poles from Lwów , who had been transferred west after the Soviet annexation of Poland's eastern territories in 1945. The founders of Pogoń Szczecin had previously been supporters of Pogoń...
, Gwardia WarszawaGwardia WarszawaGwardia Warszawa is a Polish football club based in Warsaw, Poland. The club was founded in 1948 and is currently playing in the Polish A klasa . It participated in the Polish 1st League between 1953–1960 , 1962–1966 , 1967–1968, 1969–1975, 1978–1979 and 1981–1983... - 1982 - GKS KatowiceGKS KatowiceGKS Katowice is a Polish football club based in Katowice, Poland. The club currently plays in the Polish First League.-History:In 1963 in Katowice a special organizational committee was called with the purpose of uniting all the clubs and sporting organizations of city into one large club which...
, CracoviaCracoviaCracovia is the Latin name for the Polish city of Kraków .The name may also refer to:* Cracovia , a sports club;* Cracovia vodka.* Cracovia White Eagles, a football club in AustraliaSee also:* Cracovian calculus... - 1983 - Górnik Wałbrzych, Motor LublinMotor LublinMotor Lublin is a Polish professional football team based in Lublin. The club was founded in December 1950 with their nickname The Yellow, White and Blues reflecting their official colours...
- 1984 - Lechia GdańskLechia GdanskLechia Gdańsk is a Polish football club based in Gdańsk, Poland. The club's name comes from Lechia, a poetic name for Poland. The club was founded by people expelled from Lwów, who were supporters of Lechia Lwów. Founded in 1945, Lechia was a powerhouse in Polish football during the mid-1950s...
, Radomiak RadomRadomiak RadomRKS Radomiak Radom is a Polish football club based in Radom, Poland.It was founded in 1910.It achieved 2nd place in the 3rd division in season 2003/2004 and was promoted to the 2nd division in season 2004/2005... - 1985 - Zagłębie Lubin, Stal MielecStal MielecStal Mielec is a Polish football club based in Mielec, Poland. The club was established on April 10, 1939. The construction of the club's current stadium, Stadion Stali Mielec at Solskiego 1, was concluded in 1953. Currently the stadium is undergoing a major renovation...
- 1986 - Olimpia Poznań, Polonia BytomPolonia BytomPolonia Bytom is a Polish football club founded on 4 January 1920 in the Upper Silesian city of Bytom, during the hectic months of the Silesian Uprisings...
- 1987 - Szombierki BytomSzombierki BytomSzombierki Bytom is a Polish football club from Szombierki district of Bytom. Szombierki currently plays at the sixth level of Polish football . Greatest achievement of club was championship of Poland won in 1980.-Honours:...
, Jagiellonia Białystok - 1988 - Ruch ChorzówRuch ChorzówRuch Chorzów is a Polish association football club based in Chorzów, Upper Silesia. It is one of the most successful football teams in Poland: 14 time national champion, and 3 time winner of the Polish Cup. Currently the team plays in the top Polish league, the Ekstraklasa. Their stadium capacity...
, Stal MielecStal MielecStal Mielec is a Polish football club based in Mielec, Poland. The club was established on April 10, 1939. The construction of the club's current stadium, Stadion Stali Mielec at Solskiego 1, was concluded in 1953. Currently the stadium is undergoing a major renovation... - 1989 - Zagłębie Lubin, Zagłębie Sosnowiec
- 1990 - Hutnik KrakówHutnik KrakówKS Hutnik Nowa Huta is a Polish football club from the Nowa Huta district of Kraków. The club was founded in 1950. Hutnik have played seven seasons in the Polish Ekstraklasa . The team's greatest success is a third place in the 1995/96 season, as a result of which they qualified for the UEFA Cup...
- 1991 - Stal Stalowa WolaStal Stalowa WolaStal Stalowa Wola is a football club based in Stalowa Wola, Poland. In the communist era of Poland, the club was linked with the Heavy Equipment Plant which built heavy trucks and loaders for the coal industry and the construction sites....
- 1992 - Pogoń SzczecinPogon SzczecinMKS Pogoń Szczecin is a Polish professional football club, based in Szczecin, Poland. The club was founded by Poles from Lwów , who had been transferred west after the Soviet annexation of Poland's eastern territories in 1945. The founders of Pogoń Szczecin had previously been supporters of Pogoń...
, Siarka TarnobrzegSiarka TarnobrzegSiarka Tarnobrzeg is a Polish sports club, from the city of Tarnobrzeg . Founded in 1957, it currently has two departments - soccer and men's basketball . Until 1994, Siarka also owned women's table tennis team, which for 16 times was the Champion of Poland... - 1993 - Warta PoznańWarta PoznanWarta Poznań is a football club based in Poznań, Poland. Founded in 1912, the club are two-time winners of the Polish Football Championship, in 1929 and 1947, but currently reside in the Polish First League. The name means the Guard in Polish and also a name of river Warta on which Poznań is...
, Polonia WarszawaPolonia WarszawaPolonia Warsaw is a Polish sports club with football and basketball teams, founded in 1911, and is the oldest such club in Warsaw, where it is based.- History :... - 1994 - Raków CzęstochowaRaków CzestochowaRaków Częstochowa is a Polish football club based in Częstochowa, in the south.- Current squad :-See also:*Football in Poland*List of football teams*Champions' Cup/League*UEFA Cup-External links: *...
, Stomil OlsztynOKS 1945 OlsztynOKS 1945 Olsztyn is a Polish football club based in Olsztyn, Poland. It was founded in 15 July 1945, as OKS Warmiak. The brightest era of this club were the 1990s when it played in Polish First League, as Stomil Olsztyn.- Before promotions to First League :... - 1995 - Śląsk Wrocław, GKS Bełchatów
- 1996 - Odra Wodzisław Śląski, Polonia WarszawaPolonia WarszawaPolonia Warsaw is a Polish sports club with football and basketball teams, founded in 1911, and is the oldest such club in Warsaw, where it is based.- History :...
- 1997 - Dyskobolia Grodzisk WielkopolskiDyskobolia Grodzisk WielkopolskiDyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski is a Polish football club based in Grodzisk Wielkopolski, Poland.- History :Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski was founded on April 30, 1922....
, Petrochemia Płock - 1998 - Ruch RadzionkówRuch RadzionkówRuch Radzionków is a Polish association football club based in Radzionków. The club is currently playing in the I league .- Current squad :- External links :...
, GKS Bełchatów - 1999 - Dyskobolia Grodzisk WielkopolskiDyskobolia Grodzisk WielkopolskiDyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski is a Polish football club based in Grodzisk Wielkopolski, Poland.- History :Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski was founded on April 30, 1922....
, Petrochemia Płock - 2000 - Śląsk Wrocław
- 2001 - RKS RadomskoRKS RadomskoRKS Radomsko is a small football club based in the city of Radomsko, in the south of Poland. Established in 1979, the club has played most of it history in the Polish Fourth League, though in 1993, the club advanced to the Polish Third League, and to the Polish Second League in 1995.RKS Radomsko's...
- 2002 - Lech PoznańLech PoznanLech Poznań is a Polish football club based in Poznań, Poland. The club is named after Lech, the legendary founder of Polish nation.The club was established in 1922 as Lutnia Dębiec, later changing its name several times. From 1933 until 1994, the club was closely linked to Polish State Railways...
- 2003 - Górnik PolkowiceGórnik PolkowiceKS Polkowice is a Polish football club based in Polkowice, Poland. The club currently plays in the Polish First League, but has played in the first division as recently as the 2003/04 season.- Current squad :As of 11 November, 2011....
- 2004 - Pogoń SzczecinPogon SzczecinMKS Pogoń Szczecin is a Polish professional football club, based in Szczecin, Poland. The club was founded by Poles from Lwów , who had been transferred west after the Soviet annexation of Poland's eastern territories in 1945. The founders of Pogoń Szczecin had previously been supporters of Pogoń...
- 2005 - Korona KielceKorona KielceKorona Kielce, , is a Polish football club, currently playing in the Ekstraklasa. In the years 2002-2008 Club belonged to Polish holding company Kolporter Holding and achieved its greatest success - in 2005, winning promotion to the first division...
- 2006 - Widzew Łódź
- 2007 - Ruch ChorzówRuch ChorzówRuch Chorzów is a Polish association football club based in Chorzów, Upper Silesia. It is one of the most successful football teams in Poland: 14 time national champion, and 3 time winner of the Polish Cup. Currently the team plays in the top Polish league, the Ekstraklasa. Their stadium capacity...
- 2008 - Lechia GdańskLechia GdanskLechia Gdańsk is a Polish football club based in Gdańsk, Poland. The club's name comes from Lechia, a poetic name for Poland. The club was founded by people expelled from Lwów, who were supporters of Lechia Lwów. Founded in 1945, Lechia was a powerhouse in Polish football during the mid-1950s...
- 2009 - Widzew Łódź
- 20102009–10 Polish First LeagueThe Polish First League 2009–10 season saw 18 teams competing for promotion to the Ekstraklasa. The champions and runners-up would receive promotion. Unlike in previous seasons the third-placed team no longer had the opportunity to compete in playoffs for promotion, while the 13th and 14th placed...
- Widzew Łódź - 20112010–11 Polish First LeagueThe 2010–11 I Liga football league saw 18 teams competing for the first two places in the table which gave promotion from this Polish second-level league to the Ekstraklasa 2011–12 season, whilst the bottom four teams faced relegation to the II Liga....
- ŁKS Łódź