Switzerland – one change for this season: a new re-organisation of the championship. Going back to the standard formula – two leagues of 16 teams each, no more promotion/relegation tournament. The top 2 of Second Division going up and the last 2 of First Division going down.
The new-old formula affected more the second level than the first – few teams were really aiming promotion, all of them former first division members. Nothing to be done… Switzerland, although financially stable, had no big football following and clubs were thrifty anyway. So more or less FC La Chaux-de-Fonds, CS Chênois , FC Wettingen, and FC Winterthur competed for the two top spots. At the end two teams were clearly stronger than the rest.
FC Wettingen built 4 points lead from CS Chenois, but still was unable to win the league. They finished with 44 points and had the best defensive record, losing only 3 games. Did not matter much – they won promotion.
FC Winterthur clinched the first place with 45 points. Standing from left: Adi Noventa (coach), Urs Kühni, A. Meyer, André Hagenbuch, Sepp Roth, Ota Danek, Adriano Venica, Uwe Rapolder, Manfred Häni, Daniel Haefeli – Paul Kilgus (Teambetreuer).
First row: Manfred Riedlisbacher, Luigi Stomeo, M. Zanelli, Rolf Dünner, Walter Christinger, R. Brunner, Roland Käser, Manuel Lopez, K. Hartmann.
As second division teams go, not a mind-blowing squad. 19 wins, 7 ties, 4 losses and 65-25. A point better than Wettingen and Second Division champions – a trophy is a trophy.