Despite finishing second from bottom in 1953-54, the club avoided relegation as the top division was expanded to 14 teams.

Both divisions were thus expanded to eleven competitors to make room for one East German team each.

For the 1931-32 season, both divisions were expanded to ten teams.

The four divisions can be expanded when the need arises to have an extra two senators appointed to each regional division.

In its second season, the divisions were expanded to twelve teams each, the year after to thirteen and in 1953 to fourteen.

In 1963, the two divisions were expanded to sixteen clubs each.

Despite finishing bottom in 1986-87, they were reprieved as the division was expanded to 22 clubs.

The club finished in a re-election place, but since the division was being expanded by two clubs they were re-elected without a vote.

It was scheduled to be the last season before the league closing, as the top two divisions are both expanded to 16 clubs.

By 1898, both divisions had been expanded to eighteen clubs.