The 1958–59 1. Liga season was the 27th season of the 1. Liga since its creation in 1931. At this time, the 1. Liga was the third-tier of the Swiss football league system and it was the highest level of total amateur football. At this time, the clubs in the two higher divisions in Switzerland were starting to employ semi-professional or even professional players.
Format There were 36 teams competing in the 1. Liga 1958–59 season. They were divided into three regional groups, each group with 12 teams. Within each group, the teams would play a double round-robin to decide their league position. Two points were awarded for a win and one point was awarded for a draw. The three group winners then contested a play-off round to decide the two promotion slots. The last placed team in each group were directly relegated to the 2. Liga (fourth tier). The three second last placed teams were to contest a play-out to decide the fourth relegation slot.
Group West Teams, locations ClubBased inCantonStadiumCapacity US Bienne-Boujean Biel/Bienne SC Burgdorf Burgdorf Stadion Neumatt SC Derendingen Derendingen Heidenegg FC Central Fribourg Fribourg Guintzet FC Langenthal Langenthal Rankmatte ES FC Malley Malley Centre sportif de la Tuilière FC Martigny-Sports Martigny Stade d'Octodure FC Monthey Monthey Stade Philippe Pottier FC Forward Morges Morges Parc des Sports FC Sierre Sierre Complexe Ecossia FC Stade Payerne Payerne Stade Municipal FC Versoix Versoix Centre sportif de la Bécassière
Final league table
Group Central Teams, locations ClubBased inCantonStadiumCapacity FC Alle Alle Centre Sportif Régional FC Baden Baden Esp Stadium FC Bassecourt Bassecourt Stade des Grands-Prés SR Delémont Delémont La Blancherie FC Dietikon Dietikon Fussballplatz Dornau FC Emmenbrücke Emmen Stadion Gersag SC Kleinhüningen Basel Sportplatz Schorenmatte FC Moutier Moutier Stade de Chalière FC Nordstern Basel Basel Rankhof BSC Old Boys Basel Stadion Schützenmatte FC Olten Olten Sportanlagen Kleinholz FC Porrentruy Porrentruy Stade du Tirage
Final league table
Group South and East Teams, locations ClubBased inCantonStadiumCapacity FC Blue Stars Zürich Zürich Hardhof FC Bodio Bodio Campo comunale Pollegio SC Brühl St. Gallen Paul-Grüninger-Stadion FC Locarno Locarno Stadio comunale Lido FC Mendrisio Mendrisio Centro Sportivo Comunale US Pro Daro Bellinzona Campo Geretta / Stadio Comunale Bellinzona / FC Rapid Lugano Lugano Cornaredo Stadium FC Red Star Zürich Zürich Allmend Brunau FC Solduno Locarno Campo Morettina / Stadio del Lido / FC St. Gallen St. Gallen Espenmoos Uster Sportanlage Buchholz FC Wil Wil Sportpark Bergholz
Final league table
Promotion, relegation Promotion play-off The matches in the play-off were played on 21 and 28 June and on 5 July. Round robin
Replay A replay round was required due to the egality of the teams. The matches were played on 12, 19 and 26 July.
FC Langenthal became 1. Liga champions and together with SC Brühl were promoted to 1959–60 Nationalliga B. Moutier remained in the division for the following season.
Relegation play-out The matches in the play-out took place on 21 and 28 June 1959.
The match Olten against Derendingen was not played, both teams remained in the division for the next season. As fourth and final team Pro Daro were relegated to 2. Liga.
Further in Swiss football 1958–59 Nationalliga A 1958–59 Nationalliga B 1958–59 Swiss Cup
References
Sources Switzerland 1958–59 at RSSSF