Ukrainian Second League Explained

Pixels:150
Founded: (as Transitional League)
Teams:15
Promotion:Ukrainian First League
Relegation:None (2007–2016)
Amateurs (1995–present)
Ukrainian Third League (1992–1994)
Levels:3
Domest Cup:Ukrainian Cup
PFL Cup
Second League Cup (defunct)
League Cup (defunct)
Most Champs:3 titles
Desna Chernihiv
Champions:Druzhba Myrivka
Season:2023–24
Current:2024–25 Ukrainian Second League

The Ukrainian Second League (Ukrainian: Друга ліга, Druha Liha) is a professional football league in Ukraine which is part of the Professional Football League of Ukraine, a collective member of the Ukrainian Association of Football. As the third tier it was established in 1992 as the Transitional League and changed its name the next season.

The league is lower than the Ukrainian First League (Persha Liha) and the lowest level of professional football competitions in the country. Since 1996 the league, after being merged with its lower tier (in 1992–1995 there was the Third League), consists of two main regions roughly north-west and south-east. The league's relegated teams lose their professional status and return to their regional associations.

Quick overview

First seasons

The third division of the Ukrainian championship originally was organized as the Transitional League due to numerous amateur clubs competing in it 15 out of 18. Out of the 1992 Transitional League the top clubs qualified for the 1992-93 Second League, while the bottom - the 1992-93 Transitional League, thus, creating an extra tier. Basically in the first seasons there was no promotion.

For the second season (1992-93) the league was officially organized as the Second League, while the name of transitional league was passed to the newly formed fourth division. Between seasons 1993 and 1995, there existed an auxiliary level (the Third League in 1994-95) of the football championship in Ukraine, lower than the Second League. From 1993 season to 1995 the Second League had a single group competition of over 20 clubs. During the 1996 reorganization, the auxiliary league was merged back to the Second League.

Creation of PFL

In 1996 Ukrainian football witnessed major changes in its organization as the Professional Football League of Ukraine was established. The new organization took control of the competition of former non-amateur clubs that were given attestation of professional clubs and included all the leagues of the Ukrainian championship. Concurrently with this the Third League was disbanded and all clubs that were not in the "relegation zone" were invited to join the Second League. The Second League in its turn was split into two groups. Only in the very first season the teams in this league were divided somewhat randomly, while later becoming more of regional sub-leagues. From 1997 the league was divided into three groups (Druha Liha A (west), B (south), and C (east)).

Further developments

In 1998 unlike other seasons the winners of the groups were not promoted automatically; instead a promotion-relegation tournament was organized involving four teams, three group winners and one of the weaker clubs of the First League. In 2006, the Ukrainian Professional Football League consolidated the Druha Liha due to a shortage of teams, and now the third level of professional football is divided into two groups once again (A - West and B - East).

Throughout its history the Second League has had some supplementary tournaments which include the Second League Cup as well as the Ukrainian Cup qualification tournament called the 2009–10 Ukrainian League Cup.

In summer of 2017 it was announced that the Second League is planned to be discontinued after the 2017-18 season.[1] [2]

Team withdrawals / critical situation

The league has suffered from chronic club withdrawals since its reorganization when the Ukrainian Third League was liquidated in 1995. The first club that withdrew in the middle of a season from Ukrainian championship was FC Elektron Romny which on 5 May 1994 withdrew from the Transitional League (Third League).

The reorganization of the competition in 1995 (merging Third and Second leagues) saw a number of clubs that discontinued their participation. At the start of season withdrew Temp Shepetivka which prior to that merged with Advis as well as Kosmos Pavlohrad, and five more clubs withdrew at winter break. Withdrawal of Temp led to a major disruption in competitions when Football Federation of Ukraine allowed to enter a quickly assembled team of amateur players for the First League to replace withdrawn Shepetivka club.

For a couple of years after that, there was relative stabilization, but not perfect with at least one club being withdrawn in a middle of ongoing season. In the 1998-99 season 10 teams quit the league before the season started. During the 2002-03 season Ukrainian football saw the withdrawal of a Top League club for the first time (Polihraftekhnika Oleksandriya). Due to those withdrawals the Second League suspended relegation of clubs since 2006-07, while there were some talks for the league to be discontinued.[3] An idea surfaced during the 2009-10 season to merge the league with the First League breaking the last into several groups, but it was abandoned. During the same season a new tournament was organized to add some games to the calendar of the Second League clubs which had thinned away substantially, this was called the 2009–10 Ukrainian League Cup.

Current composition

The following teams are competing in the 2023–24 season. Two teams were spared from relegation from previous season due to other teams' withdrawal. Note, in parentheses are shown the actual home cities and stadiums.

TeamHome cityStadiumCapacityPosition in
2022–23		First season
in 2L		Seasons
in 2L
ChaikaPetropavlivska BorshchahivkaTsentralnyi imeni Brukvenka3,1003rd2018-195
DruzhbaMyrivkaStadion Druzhba2,133AAFU2023–24debut
Karpaty-2LvivUkraina Stadium28,051N/A2023-2410
Kremin-2KremenchukKremin-Arena1,5009th2022-231
KudrivkaKudrivkaKudrivka Arena500AAFU2023-24debut
LokomotyvKyivBannikov Stadium1,678AAFU2023-24debut
Metalurh-2ZaporizhzhiaStadion Bazys4008th2016–174
NyvaVinnytsiaTsentralnyi Miskyi Stadion24,0004th2007–0810
Real PharmaOdesaStadion Ivan1,2006th2011–1212
Rukh-2LvivStadion imeni Bohdana Markevycha900N/A2023-24debut
Skala 1911StryiSokil Stadium1,789AAFU2023-24debut
TrostianetsTrostianetsStadion imeni Kutsa1,129missed2021–221
UCSATarasivkaBannikov Stadium1,678AAFU2023–24debut
VastMykolaivStadion Ivan1,2007th2022-231
ZviahelZviahelStadion Avanhard3,0005th2022-231

Location map and stadiums

Organization

The calendar of competitions is adopted by the Central Council of PFL and the Executive Committee of FFU. The Bureau (Administration) of PFL regulates the league's operations and forms the Second League. All clubs of the PFL are obligated to own or sponsor a Children-Youth Sports School. All clubs of PFL are obligated to participate in the National Cup competition. A club of the Second League is also obligated to finance at least two junior teams from under the age of 10 to under the age of 19. The junior teams must participate either in regional competitions of the Children-Youth Football League of Ukraine.

All stadiums must have a certificate of the State Commission in control of sports structures conditions. A club cannot play matches at its training sites nor stadiums not registered with PFL. Promotions of tobacco products at stadiums are prohibited. All stadiums must fly the flags of Ukraine, FFU, and PFL. Only accredited photo-correspondents and junior footballers who collect balls are allowed behind goalposts.

The games are allowed to start not earlier than 12:00 and not later than 20:30. There must be at least a 48-hour break between two official games. Games can only be rescheduled if the following three criteria exist: a) unforeseen circumstances occur, b) delegation of four or more footballers to any national teams, or c) organization of direct tele-broadcasting.

Throughout history certain regions were represented only in certain groups, some competed in all groups. Among regions that were represented only in Group A are Lviv Oblast, Ternopil Oblast, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Rivne Oblast, Zhytomyr Oblast, Chernivtsi Oblast, Zakarpattia Oblast, Volyn Oblast, only in Group B is just Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Group C existed for short time and had no exclusive region representation.

Such regions like Kyiv Oblast and City, Cherkasy Oblast, Kirovohrad Oblast, Chernihiv Oblast, Sumy Oblast, and Kharkiv Oblast at some point were represented in all three groups.

Such regions like Donetsk Oblast, Luhansk Oblast, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Poltava Oblast were represented only in groups B and C.

Top three by season

Promoted teams are indicated in bold.

SeasonGroupTeamsWinnerRunner-upThird place
A9align=center bgcolor=goldDnister Zalishchykyalign=center bgcolor=silverHazovyk Komarnoalign=center bgcolor=tanYavir Krasnopillia
B9align=center bgcolor=goldBazhanovets Makiyivkaalign=center bgcolor=silverTytan Armyanskalign=center bgcolor=tanMeliorator Kakhovka
1992–93–18align=center bgcolor=goldDnipro Cherkasyalign=center bgcolor=silverKhimik Zhytomyralign=center bgcolor=tanYavir Krasnopillia
1993–94–22align=center bgcolor=goldFC Boryspilalign=center bgcolor=silverBazhanovets Makiyivkaalign=center bgcolor=tanZirka-NIBAS Kirovohrad
1994–95–22align=center bgcolor=goldYavir Krasnopilliaalign=center bgcolor=silverFC Lvivalign=center bgcolor=tanDynamo Luhansk
1995–96A22align=center bgcolor=goldCSKA Kyivalign=center bgcolor=silverKrystal Khersonalign=center bgcolor=tanKhutrovyk Tysmenytsia
B21align=center bgcolor=goldMetalurh Mariupolalign=center bgcolor=silverMetalurh Donetskalign=center bgcolor=tanMetalurh Novomoskovsk
1996–97A16align=center bgcolor=goldDesna Chernihivalign=center bgcolor=silverFakel Varvaalign=center bgcolor=tanFK Tysmenytsia
B17align=center bgcolor=goldAvanhard-Industriya Rovenkyalign=center bgcolor=silverTytan Armyanskalign=center bgcolor=tanOskil Kupiansk
1997–98A18align=center bgcolor=goldPodillia Khmelnytskyjalign=center bgcolor=silverDynamo-3 Kyivalign=center bgcolor=tanKarpaty-2 Lviv
B17align=center bgcolor=goldKrystal Khersonalign=center bgcolor=silverSCA-Lotto Odesaalign=center bgcolor=tanSC Odesa
C17align=center bgcolor=goldShakhtar-2 Donetskalign=center bgcolor=silverFakel Varvaalign=center bgcolor=tanElektron Romny
1998–99A15align=center bgcolor=goldZakarpattia Uzhhorodalign=center bgcolor=silverBorysfen Boryspilalign=center bgcolor=tanTsymentnyk-Khorda Mykolaiv
B16align=center bgcolor=goldSC Odesaalign=center bgcolor=silverKrystal Khersonalign=center bgcolor=tanKryvbas-2 Kryvyj Rih
C14align=center bgcolor=goldObolon-PPO Kyivalign=center bgcolor=silverZorya Luhanskalign=center bgcolor=tanOskil Kupiansk
1999–00A16align=center bgcolor=goldBukovyna Chernivtsialign=center bgcolor=silverPodillia Khmelnytskyjalign=center bgcolor=tanEnerhetyk Burshtyn
B14align=center bgcolor=goldBorysfen Boryspilalign=center bgcolor=silverObolon-PPO-2 Kyivalign=center bgcolor=tanKryvbas-2 Kryvyj Rih
C14align=center bgcolor=goldDnipro-2 Dnipropetrovskalign=center bgcolor=silverADOMS Kremenchukalign=center bgcolor=tanZorya Luhansk
2000–01A16align=center bgcolor=goldPolissia Zhytomyralign=center bgcolor=silverSokil Zolochivalign=center bgcolor=tanFC Krasyliv
B15align=center bgcolor=goldObolon Kyivalign=center bgcolor=silverSystema-Boreks Borodiankaalign=center bgcolor=tanDnipro-3 Dnipropetrovsk
C16align=center bgcolor=goldFC Naftovyk Okhtyrkaalign=center bgcolor=silverDesna Chernihivalign=center bgcolor=tanOskil Kupiansk
2001–02A19align=center bgcolor=goldFC Krasylivalign=center bgcolor=silverSokil Zolochivalign=center bgcolor=tanPodillia Khmelnytskyj
B18align=center bgcolor=goldSystema-Boreks Borodiankaalign=center bgcolor=silverNafkom-Akademiya Irpinalign=center bgcolor=tanDynamo Simferopol
C18align=center bgcolor=goldFC Sumyalign=center bgcolor=silverArsenal Kharkivalign=center bgcolor=tanMetalurh-2 Donetsk
2002–03A15align=center bgcolor=goldFC LUKOR Kalushalign=center bgcolor=silverEnerhetyk Burshtynalign=center bgcolor=tanPodillia Khmelnytskyj
B16align=center bgcolor=goldNafkom Irpinalign=center bgcolor=silverDynamo Simferopolalign=center bgcolor=tanElektrometalurh-NZF Nikopol
C15align=center bgcolor=goldZorya Luhanskalign=center bgcolor=silverShakhtar Luhanskalign=center bgcolor=tanDesna Chernihiv
2003–04A16align=center bgcolor=goldFC Hazovyk-Skala Stryjalign=center bgcolor=silverPodillia Khmelnytskyjalign=center bgcolor=tanRava Rava-Ruska
B16align=center bgcolor=goldDynamo-IhroServis Simferopolalign=center bgcolor=silverElektrometalurh-NZF Nikopolalign=center bgcolor=tanKrymteplytsia Molodizhne
C16align=center bgcolor=goldStal Dniprodzerzhynskalign=center bgcolor=silverDesna Chernihivalign=center bgcolor=tanMetalurh-2 Zaporizhzhia
2004–05A15align=center bgcolor=goldRava Rava-Ruskaalign=center bgcolor=silverEnerhetyk Burshtynalign=center bgcolor=tanKarpaty-2 Lviv
B14align=center bgcolor=goldKrymteplytsia Molodizhnealign=center bgcolor=silverKrystal Khersonalign=center bgcolor=tanFC Oleksandriya
C15align=center bgcolor=goldHelios Kharkivalign=center bgcolor=silverDesna Chernihivalign=center bgcolor=tanDnipro Cherkasy
2005–06A16align=center bgcolor=goldDesna Chernihivalign=center bgcolor=silverFakel Ivano-Frankivskalign=center bgcolor=tanRava Rava-Ruska
B15align=center bgcolor=goldMFK Mykolaivalign=center bgcolor=silverPFC Oleksandria align=center bgcolor=tanPFC Sevastopol
C13align=center bgcolor=goldDnipro Cherkasyalign=center bgcolor=silverIllichivets-2 Mariupolalign=center bgcolor=tanMetalurh-2 Zaporizhzhia
2006–07A15align=center bgcolor=goldDnister Ovidiopolalign=center bgcolor=silverFakel Ivano-Frankivskalign=center bgcolor=tanYednist Plysky
B16align=center bgcolor=goldPFC Sevastopolalign=center bgcolor=silverFeniks-Illichivets Kalininealign=center bgcolor=tanTytan Armyansk
2007–08A16align=center bgcolor=goldKnyazha Schaslyvealign=center bgcolor=silverNyva Ternopilalign=center bgcolor=tanPodillia-Khmelnytskyj
B18align=center bgcolor=goldKomunalnyk Luhanskalign=center bgcolor=silverTytan Armyanskalign=center bgcolor=tanArsenal Kharkiv
2008–09A17align=center bgcolor=goldNyva Ternopilalign=center bgcolor=silverArsenal Bila Tserkvaalign=center bgcolor=tanNyva Vinnytsia
B18align=center bgcolor=goldZirka Kirovohradalign=center bgcolor=silverFC Poltavaalign=center bgcolor=tanStal Dniprodzerzhynsk
2009–10A11align=center bgcolor=goldBukovyna Chernivtsialign=center bgcolor=silverNyva Vinnytsiaalign=center bgcolor=tanBastion Illichivsk
B14align=center bgcolor=goldTytan Armyanskalign=center bgcolor=silverKremin Kremenchukalign=center bgcolor=tanFC Poltava
2010–11A12align=center bgcolor=goldMFC Mykolaivalign=center bgcolor=silverFC Sumyalign=center bgcolor=tanEnerhiya Nova Kakhovka
B12align=center bgcolor=goldOlimpik Donetskalign=center bgcolor=silverFC Poltavaalign=center bgcolor=tanKremin Kremenchuk
2011–12A14align=center bgcolor=goldFC Sumy align=center bgcolor=silverDesna Chernihivalign=center bgcolor=tanSlavutych Cherkasy
B14align=center bgcolor=goldFC Poltavaalign=center bgcolor=silverAvanhard Kramatorskalign=center bgcolor=tanShakhtar Sverdlovsk
2012–13
A11align=center bgcolor=goldDesna Chernihiv align=center bgcolor=silverNyva Ternopilalign=center bgcolor=tanSlavutych Cherkasy
B13align=center bgcolor=goldUkrAhroKom Holovkivkaalign=center bgcolor=silverShakhtar Sverdlovskalign=center bgcolor=tanShakhtar-3 Donetsk
2013–14–19align=center bgcolor=goldHirnyk-Sport Komsomolskalign=center bgcolor=silverStal Dniprodzerzhynskalign=center bgcolor=tanFC Ternopil
2014–15–10align=center bgcolor=goldCherkaskyj Dniproalign=center bgcolor=silverObolon-Brovar Kyivalign=center bgcolor=tanKremin Kremenchuk
2015–16–14align=center bgcolor=goldKolos Kovalivkaalign=center bgcolor=silverVeres Rivnealign=center bgcolor=tanInhulets Petrove
2016–17–17align=center bgcolor=goldZhemchuzhyna Odesaalign=center bgcolor=silverRukh Vynnykyalign=center bgcolor=tanKremin Kremenchuk
2017–18A11align=center bgcolor=goldAhrobiznes Volochysk align=center bgcolor=silverPrykarpattia Ivano-Frankivskalign=center bgcolor=tanNyva-V Vinnytsia
B12align=center bgcolor=goldSC Dnipro-1align=center bgcolor=silverMetalist 1925 Kharkivalign=center bgcolor=tanEnerhiya Nova Kakhovka
2018–19A10align=center bgcolor=goldFC Mynaialign=center bgcolor=silverCherkashchyna-Akademiyaalign=center bgcolor=tanPolissia Zhytomyr
B10align=center bgcolor=goldKremin Kremenchuk align=center bgcolor=silverMetalurh Zaporizhzhiaalign=center bgcolor=tanHirnyk Kryvyj Rih
2019–20A11align=center bgcolor=goldNyva Ternopilalign=center bgcolor=silverPolissya Zhytomyralign=center bgcolor=tanVeres Rivne
B11align=center bgcolor=goldVPK-Ahro Shevchenkivkaalign=center bgcolor=silverKrystal Khersonalign=center bgcolor=tanAlians Lypova Dolyna
2020–21A14align=center bgcolor=goldPodillia Khmelnytskyialign=center bgcolor=silverFC Uzhhorodalign=center bgcolor=tanDinaz Vyshhorod
B13align=center bgcolor=goldMetal Kharkiv align=center bgcolor=silverKryvbas Kryvyi Rihalign=center bgcolor=tanMetalurh Zaporizhzhia
align=center bgcolor=greyalign=center bgcolor=greyalign=center bgcolor=greyalign=center bgcolor=greyalign=center bgcolor=grey
align=center bgcolor=greyalign=center bgcolor=greyalign=center bgcolor=greyalign=center bgcolor=greyalign=center bgcolor=grey
2022–23–10align=center bgcolor=goldNyva Buzovaalign=center bgcolor=silverFC Khustalign=center bgcolor=tanChaika Petropavlivska Borshchahivka
2023–24–15align=center bgcolor=goldDruzhba Myrivkaalign=center bgcolor=silverUCSA Tarasivkaalign=center bgcolor=tanPFC Zviahel

Notes:

Post-season play-offs

Post-season play-offs are not common feature of the Second League competition. Over the years there were several instances when clubs contested promotion or relegation berths. The first post-season feature consisted of a promotion mini-tournament that took place in July 1998 in Kyiv and Boryspil. It involved three group winners of the Second League and Bukovyna that placed 18th place in the First League. The tournament identified clubs which would qualify for the 1998–99 Ukrainian First League.

Championship game

SeasonGroup A teamScoreGroup B teamPlace
FC Sumy2–0FC Poltavain Poltava
FC Desna Chernihiv2–0, 1–3 (a)FC UkrAhroKom Holovkivkahome/away
2013–17 align=center colspan=3Single group competitions–
FC Ahrobiznes Volochysk1–0SC Dnipro-1in Kyiv
FC Mynai0–1FC Kremin Kremenchukin Kropyvnytskyi
PFC Nyva TernopilCancelledFC VPK-Ahro Shevchenkivka–
FC Podillya Khmelnytskyi0–1FC Metal Kharkivin Cherkasy
FC Karpaty LvivCancelledFC Metalurh Zaporizhzhia–
2022–24align=center colspan=3Single group competitions–

Third-place play-offs

SeasonGroup A teamScoreGroup B teamPlace
FC Krystal Kherson1–3FC Metalurh Donetskin Kyiv
FC Arsenal Bila Tserkva1–0FC Poltavain Cherkasy
FC Nyva Vinnytsia2–0FC Kremin Kremenchukin Makariv
FC Sumy2–0FC Poltavain Uman
FC Desna Chernihiv0–1FC Avanhard Kramatorskin Khmelnytskyi

Relegation play-offs

SeasonSecond League teamScoreAmateur League teamPlace
FC Tysmenytsia3–1, 1–1Promin Sambirhome/away
Hirnyk Pavlohrad1–2, –/+Shakhtar Horlivka
Zirka-2 Kirovohradw/oKharchovyk Popivka

Promotion play-offs

Inter-league rotations

Season 92/9393/9494/9595/9696/9797/9898/9999/0000/0101/0202/0303/0404/0505/0606/0707/0808/0909/10
League
align=LEFT rowspan=2First League 24232            
10222 4            
align=LEFT rowspan=2Amateur League 5415/92/610/10            
10125x12x3*            
Season 10/1111/1212/1313/1414/1515/1616/1717/1818/1919/2020/2121/2222/2323/2424/2525/2626/2727/2828/2929/30
League
align=LEFT rowspan=2First League                    
                    
align=LEFT rowspan=2Amateur League                    
                    

Statistics

All group winners in the League by region

In bold are shown still active professional clubs

RegionCoAWinsWinners
Kyiv Oblast8 FC Boryspil (CKSA-Borysfen), Borysfen Boryspil, Systema-Boreks Borodyanka, Nafkom Irpin, Knyazha Schaslyve, Kolos Kovalivka, Nyva Buzova, Druzhba Myrivka
Donetsk Oblast4 Bazhanovets Makiivka, Metalurh Mariupol, Shakhtar-2 Donetsk, Olimpik Donetsk
Sumy Oblast4 FC Sumy (Spartak) (twice), Naftovyk Okhtyrka, FC Sumy
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast4 Dnipro-2 Dnipropetrovsk, Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk, SC Dnipro-1, VPK-Ahro Shevchenkivka
Khmelnytskyi Oblast4 Podillya Khmelnytskyi (twice), FC Krasyliv, Ahrobiznes Volochysk
Chernihiv Oblast3 Desna Chernihiv (thrice)
Cherkasy Oblast3 Dnipro Cherkasy (twice), Cherkaskyi Dnipro
Luhansk Oblast3 Zorya Luhansk, Avanhard-Industria Rovenky, Komunalnyk Luhansk
Crimea3 Tytan Armyansk, Dynamo-Ihroservice Simferopol, Krymteplytsia Molodizhne
Kyiv3 Obolon Kyiv (twice), CSKA Kyiv
Odesa Oblast3 SC Odesa, Zhemchuzhyna Odesa, Dnister Ovidiopol
Poltava Oblast3 FC Poltava, Hirnyk-Sport Komsomolsk, Kremin Kremenchuk
Ternopil Oblast3 Nyva Ternopil (twice), Dnister Zalishchyky
Chernivtsi Oblast2 Bukovyna Chernivtsi (twice)
Mykolaiv Oblast2 MFC Mykolaiv (twice)
Lviv Oblast2 Hazovyk-Skala Stryi, Rava Rava-Ruska, (Karpaty Lviv)
Kirovohrad Oblast2 Zirka Kirovohrad, UkrAhroKom Holovkivka
Zakarpattia Oblast2 Zakarpattia Uzhhorod, FC Mynai
Kharkiv Oblast2 Helios Kharkiv, Metal Kharkiv
Kherson Oblast1 Krystal Kherson
Zhytomyr Oblast1 Polissya Zhytomyr
Sevastopol1 PFC Sevastopol
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast1 LUKOR Kalush
Zaporizhzhia Oblast0 (Metalurh Zaporizhzhia)

Conflict of succession

  1. In 1993–94 FC Boryspil won the title and was promoted, next season in the 1994–95 Ukrainian First League FC Boryspil changed its name to Borysfen Boryspil and in mid-season again to CSKA-Borysfen. As CSKA-Borysfen it won title again of the First League and was promoted again to the Premier League (Top League) for the 1995–96. At the same time in 1994–95 the original FC CSKA Kyiv won title of the Third League and after being promoted in 1995–96 title of the Second League. Upon conclusion of the 1995–96 in the Top League CSKA-Borysfen was swapped with the third tier CSKA Kyiv, while Borysfen Boryspil restarted from the Second League.
  2. Similar situation took place in 2018 when People's Club Veres from Premier League was swapped with FC Lviv that previously played at amateur level. FC Lviv never in its club history gained promotion to the Ukrainian First League, yet spent two stints in the Ukrainian Premier League (first time as a successor of Hazovyk-Skala, second – after the swap with Veres).

All-time table

Top-20. All figures are correct through the 2022–23 season.[4] Club status is current of the 2023–24 season:

2023–24 Ukrainian Premier League
2023–24 Ukrainian First League
2023–24 Ukrainian Second League
2023–24 Ukrainian Football Amateur League
2023 Regional competitions
Club is defunct
PLTeamSeasonsGPWDLGSGAPtsAchievementFirstLast
1align=LEFTKrystal Kherson22691288125278909800989bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white1bgcolor=white1992–93bgcolor=white2021–22
2align=LEFTTytan Armyansk19586262138186818637924bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white1bgcolor=white1992bgcolor=white2009–10
3align=LEFT Desna Chernihiv133972436886670347797bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white3bgcolor=white1994–95bgcolor=white2012–13
4align=LEFT Kremin Kremenchuk1440419391120592438670bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white2bgcolor=white1999–00bgcolor=white2018–19
5align=LEFTShakhtar-3 Donetsk1544019471175683622653bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white–bgcolor=white2000–01bgcolor=white2014–15
6align=LEFTBukovyna Chernivtsi1443117997155508488634bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white4bgcolor=white1999–00bgcolor=white2021–22
7align=LEFT Hirnyk-Sport Komsomolsk19566182105279613826651bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white1bgcolor=white1995–96bgcolor=white2013–14
8align=LEFTRos Bila Tserkva18546174102270504784624bgcolor=white5thbgcolor=white–bgcolor=white1993–94bgcolor=white2010–11
9align=LEFTOlkom Melitopol16474169116189536571623bgcolor=white4thbgcolor=white–bgcolor=white1995–96bgcolor=white2010–11
10align=LEFTVeres Rivne1647715996222474653573bgcolor=silverbgcolor=white1bgcolor=white1997–98bgcolor=white2019–20
11align=LEFTNyva Ternopil1235515686113420377554bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white3bgcolor=white2002–03bgcolor=white2019–20
12align=LEFTPodillya Khmelnytskyi1031616650100482327548bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white2bgcolor=white1997–98bgcolor=white2020–21
13align=LEFTStal Dniprodzerzhynsk92681495267427246499bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white2bgcolor=white2001–02bgcolor=white2013–14
14align=LEFTHalychyna Drohobych1137413780157403435491bgcolor=white5thbgcolor=white–bgcolor=white1992–93bgcolor=white2002–03
15align=LEFTFC Kalush1236113664161414428472bgcolor=goldbgcolor=white–bgcolor=white1995–96bgcolor=white2019–20
16align=LEFTIllichivets-2 Mariupol1337513559181451 561464bgcolor=silverbgcolor=white–bgcolor=white2000–01bgcolor=white2016–17
17align=LEFTHazovyk Komarno1032613074122380 354464bgcolor=silverbgcolor=white–bgcolor=white1992bgcolor=white2000–01
18align=LEFTDynamo-3 Kyiv1132812589114364 311464bgcolor=silverbgcolor=white–bgcolor=white1997–98bgcolor=white2007–08
19align=LEFTEnerhiya Yuzhnoukrainsk1339011790183351 516441bgcolor=white5thbgcolor=white–bgcolor=white1995–96bgcolor=white2007–08
20align=LEFT bgcolor= Metalurh-2 Zaporizhzhia1439612176199449 625439bgcolor=tan3rdbgcolor=white–bgcolor=white1998–99bgcolor=white2011–12

Players

Among notable players of the league are its top scorers.

All-time First League appearance leaders
PlayerGamesYears
Oleksandr Kapusta3361996–2009
Andriy Nikiforov3091992–2003
Oleksandr Petrov3061992–2002
Roman Sanzhar2991995–2011
Yuriy Ponomarenko2961997–2009
Oleksiy Bondar2961997–2009
Yuriy Komyahin2962002–2016
Oleksandr Krasnyanskyi2961994–2010
Oleksandr Osmachko2951995–2016
Mykola Dudych2941993–2003<--
11-->
Players in bold are still playing in Second League
Data as of 9 February 2021
All-time First League scorers
PlayerGoalsGamesYears
Oleksandr Kozhemyachenko1052191999–2011
Oleksandr Kapusta1043361996–2009
Ihor Bezdolnyi1022721994–2011
Yevhen Arbuzov982551999–2009
Vasyl Karpyn882441992–2003
Stanislav Kulish801322008–2014
Vasyl Shved782051993–2005
Vladyslav Korobkin732152000–2013
Ihor Kiriyenko711892002–2014
Kostiantyn Pinchuk681421993–2007
Volodymyr Kryzhanivskyi661921995–2006<--
-->
Players in bold are still playing in Second League
Data accurate as of 19 January 2021[5]

Managers

Ref
align=center rowspan=21992Dnister Zalishchyky
Bazhanovets Makiivka
1992–93Dnipro Cherkasy
1993–94FC Boryspil
1994–95Yavir Krasnopillia
align=center rowspan=21995–96CSKA Kyiv
Metalurh Mariupol
align=center rowspan=21996–97Desna Chernihiv
Avanhard Rovenky
align=center rowspan=31997–98Podillia Khmelnytskyi
Krystal Kherson
Shakhtar-2 Donetsk
align=center rowspan=31998–99Zakarpattia Uzhhorod
SC Odesa
Obolon-PVO Kyiv
align=center rowspan=21999–2000Bukovyna Chernivtsi
Dnipro-2 Dnipropetrovsk
align=center rowspan=22000–01Polissia Zhytomyr
Naftovyk Okhtyrka
align=center rowspan=22001–02FC Krasyliv
FC Sumy
align=center rowspan=22002–03Lukor Kalush
Zorya Luhansk
align=center rowspan=22003–04Hazovyk-Skala Stryi
Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk
align=center rowspan=22004–05Rava Rava-Ruska
Helios Kharkiv
align=center rowspan=22005–06Desna Chernihiv
Dnipro Cherkasy
Ref
align=center rowspan=22006–07Dnister Ovidiopol
PFC Sevastopol
align=center rowspan=22007–08Knyazha Shchaslyve
Komunalnyk Luhansk
align=center rowspan=22008–09Nyva Ternopil
Zirka Kirovohrad
align=center rowspan=22009–10Bukovyna Chernivtsi
Tytan Armyansk
align=center rowspan=22010–11MFC Mykolaiv
Olimpik Donetsk
align=center rowspan=22011–12PFC Sumy
FC Poltava
align=center rowspan=22012–13Desna Chernihiv
UkrAhroKom Holovkivka
2013–14Hirnyk-Sport Komsomolsk
2014–15Cherkaskyi Dnipro
2015–16Kolos Kovalivka
2016–17Zhemchuzhyna Odesa
align=center rowspan=22017–18Ahrobiznes Volochysk
SC Dnipro-1
align=center rowspan=22018–19FC Mynai
Kremin Kremenchuk
align=center rowspan=22019–20Nyva Ternopil
VPK-Ahro Shevchenkivka
align=center rowspan=22020–21Podillia Khmelnytskyi
Metal Kharkiv
align=center rowspan=22021–22Karpaty Lviv
Metalurh Zaporizhzhia
2022–23Nyva Buzova

Stadiums

Most attended games

Most of the most attended games in the league since 1992 recorded at Zirka Stadium (Kropyvnytskyi), and since 1993–94 season FC Zirka Kropyvnytskyi all time attendance record on a single game until 2017–18 season, when Metalist Kharkiv phoenix club Metalist 1925 participated in the Druha Liha together with their original club rivals FC Dnipro and SC Dnipro-1. The record was set on in a Metalist 1925–Dnipro-1 match, which was attended by 14,521 people.[6]

SeasonAttendanceHome teamScoreVisiting teamStadiumRef
12017–1814,521Metalist 1925 Kharkiv1:1Dnipro-1OSC Metalist
21993–9414,000Zirka-NIBAS Kirovohrad2:0FC BoryspilZirka Stadium
32008–0912,100Zirka Kirovohrad2:1Stal DniprodzerzhynskZirka Stadium
41993–9412,000Zirka-NIBAS Kirovohrad5:0Shakhtar PavlohradZirka Stadium
1993–9412,000Zirka-NIBAS Kirovohrad1:0Dnister ZalishchykyZirka Stadium

The most attended seasons were in the beginning of 1990s and the beginning of 2000s.[6]

External links

External links

Notes and References

  1. Valerko, A. Velvet revolution. How, why and wherefore FFU reloads the Ukrainian championship (Оксамитова революція. Як, чому і навіщо ФФУ перезавантажує чемпіонат України). Sport Arena. 22 June 2017.
  2. Valerko, A. C:\format or C:\reload. By whom, how and why is being formatted the Ukrainian championship (C:\format или C:\reload. Кем, как и почему реформируется чемпионат Украины). Sport Arena. 22 August 2017
  3. http://www.champion.com.ua/football/2011/01/20/398057/ Фек: Підтримую Данілова і Бальчоса - хай це саме зробить Суркіс
  4. http://wildstat.ru/p/2105/cht/214/stat/summary Чемпионат Украины, вторая лига (Суммарная таблица за все годы)
  5. https://footballfacts.ru/tournamentmain/218-chempionatukrainy Чемпионат Украины D3
  6. Valerko, A. Which game is the most attended in history of the Druha Liha? (Який матч – найвідвідуваніший в історії Другої ліги?). Sport Arena. 25 August 2016 (first ed.)

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