1953 Montenegrin Republic League


The 1953 Montenegrin Republic League was 8th season of Montenegrin Republic League. Season began in March 1953 and ended in June same year.

Season

Just like in previous season, Yugoslav First League was the only league competition on Federal level. So, Montenegrin Republic League was once again second-tier competition. As there was no any Montenegrin representative in the First League, all the strongest sides played in Republic League.
Members of 1953 Montenegrin Republic League were Budućnost, Sutjeska, Lovćen, Radnički Ivangrad, Iskra, Bokelj, Arsenal and Mornar.

Qualifiers

While seven members placed directly, Mornar gained participation in 1953 season through qualifiers. Below are the results of qualifying rounds.
Round one: Gorštak - Breznik 3-0; Jedinstvo - Bokeška pobuna 3-0.
Semifinals: Jedinstvo - Mornar 2-4; Gorštak - Mladost 0-3.
Qualifier finals: Mladost - Mornar 1-1, 0-5.

Championship

During the eighth edition of Montenegrin Republic League, four teams struggled for the title - Budućnost, Lovćen, Radnički and Sutjeska. But, title race between Budućnost and Lovćen lasted until the final leg. With an away win against Arsenal, Budućnost gained the trophy which provided them another performance in the qualifiers for Yugoslav First League. From the other side, as a runner-up, Lovćen played in the qualifiers for Yugoslav Second League.
During the season, Budućnost made a record win in club's history - at an away game against Iskra. Another double count of goals on one game made Lovćen against Arsenal.
Season was also remembered by new editions of Montenegrin Derby with thousands of guest supporters on the stands of stadiums in Titograd and Nikšić.

Table

Results

Budućnost finished season with two defeats. Most goals was seen on the game Iskra - Budućnost.

Qualifiers for Yugoslav First League

In the qualifiers for First League, Budućnost played against champions of Republic Leagues of SR Serbia (Radnički Beograd and SR Macedonia (Rabotnički Skopje. After four games, Budućnost was a last-placed team with one point. So, Budućnost failed to make a comeback to Yugoslav First League, but they became a member of restored competition in Yugoslav Second League. Season 1953 was the last one which Budućnost spent in Montenegrin Republic League.
Team 1Team 2HomeAway
Budućnost TitogradRadnički Beograd
1:2
1:3
Rabotnički SkopjeBudućnost Titograd
3:1
1:1

Qualifiers for Yugoslav Second League

In the qualifiers for Second League, Lovćen played against representatives of Republic Leagues of SR Serbia and SR Macedonia (Rabotnik Bitola. After six games, Lovćen finished as a second-placed team in the group, which meant promotion to Yugoslav Second League.
Team 1Team 2HomeAway
Lovćen CetinjeNapredak Kruševac
1:0
1:1
Lovćen CetinjeMačva Šabac
0:2
0:2
Rabotnik BitolaLovćen Cetinje
2:3
0:2