The Czech second division was clearer case: 2 leagues of 16 teams each, the winners going to a promotional play-off. Better known clubs too, for unlike the Slovak counterpart, a whole bunch of former 1st Division clubs played here now: LIAZ Jablonec, Skoda Plzen, Dynamo Ceske Budejovice, TZ Trinec, Sigma MZ Olomouc, VP Frydek-Mistek, and both group winners. Nothing really strong came out of the championship, however, and the final tables suggested a big change: may be one instead of two groups was coming, for 8 teams were relegated this season: Spartak Usti nad Labe, UD Pribram, Poldi SONP Kladno, VTZ Chomutov, Kovostroj Decin, CKZ Rakovnik, VTJ Tachov, and KZ Kraluv Dvur from Group A. And from Group B: Ostroj Opava, Slezan Frydek-Mistek, VCHZ Pardubice, Spolana Neratovice, CSAD Benesov, KSB Brno,TJ Gottwaldov, Tepna Nachod. If the division was moving to single-league format, the change was seemingly right: there was practically no competition – Sklo Union Teplica won Group A leaving LIAZ Jablonec 5 points behind and TJ Vitkovice won Group B leaving TZ Trinec 7 points behind. Those were the only clubs aspiring to go higher.
The promotional play-off opposed the champions and bitter battle: in the first leg TJ Vitkovice won 1-0 at home. In Teplice no team scored at all.
Moments from the second leg – the hosts attacked, but fruitlessly. TJ Vitkovice prevailed.
Sklo Union (Teplice), relegated from First Division in 1978-79 was unable to return to top flight.
TJ Vitkovice triumphed and moved up. Standing from left: Tylšar (org. pracovník), Pouba (trenér), Otoupalík, Vitula, Kořistka, Břenek, Sajdok, Kolář, Pardy, Kružberský, Šafránek, Janků (masér), Hrbáč (asistent)
Sitting: Bobčík, Stanovský, J. Knopp, Poledník, Pospěch, Z. Knopp, Ondrášek.
Not exactly a newcomers to first division, but their former record was spotty at best. May be better days were coming? Next season would tell.