Turkey. One change – the First Division was increasing to 18 teams the next year, so 3 teams were relegated and 4 promoted. The change did not affect Second Division – there were still 4 groups, the winners of each going up. A total of 60 clubs played second division football – 15 in each group. Some faded powers of the past, some fairly well known clubs, but most were unknown to the outside world. As for competition, it depended on current form. Not very strong in Group A, where second-tier Istanbul clubs played.
Sariyer won with 4 points margin – 17 wins, 9, ties, 2 losses, 40-14, and 43 points.
Goal-difference decided the winner of Group B – two teams, well above the rest, went shoulder to shoulder, finishing with 43 points each. Karsiyaka was unlucky at the end by 4 goals.
Antaliaspor was the winner with 17 wins, 9 ties, 2 losses, 45-11, and 43 points.
Group C was also a race between two teams to the end. They also left the rest of the league far behind, although this was perhaps the group with most former top league clubs.
Ceyhanspor (in green-white stripes, pictured with Besiktas) was 10th with 26 points. Your typical second-division club. Konyaspor was 4th with 31 points, Genclerbirligi – 3rd with 33 points. Unlike Ceyhanspor, these clubs knew better seasons, but returning to the top league was not up to them this year. The battle was between another two former first division members and 2 points was the final difference between them.
Kayserispor ended 2nd with 45 points. They scored the most goals in the group, 60, and finished with fantastic goal-difference, +43, but were unable to win.
Mersin Idman Yurdu was the champion with 47 points from 21 wins, 5 ties, and 2 losses. 46-11 was their scoring record.
Group D was the most competitive – 3 teams fought for the top spot.
Orduspor was out of the promotional race – they were 5th with 32 points.
Erzerumspor lost the battle by 2 points – they finished 3rd, but with pitiful scoring record: +12. Orduspor had better on: +16, not to mention the two top teams.
Rizespor was second with 37 points. Standing from left: Refah, Hasan Fehmi, Nejat, İsmail, İbrahim, Hüsnü.
Crouching: Yaşar, Osman, Erol, Hüseyin, Muharrem.
Samsunspor clinched the first place with 38 points. 15 wins, 8 ties, 5 losses, 48-17. Not very impressive statistics, but they were going back to the top league and that was the only important thing.