1961 Soviet Class B was the twelfth season of the Soviet Class B football competitions since their establishment in 1950. It was also the 21st season of what eventually became known as the Soviet First League.
Russian Federation I Zone
Notes: Textilshchik Kostroma was called Spartak.
II Zone
Notes: Trud Glukhovo relocated to Noginsk. Spartak Smolensk was called Textilshchik.
III Zone
Notes: Sokol Saratov was called Lokomotiv. Spartak Ryazan was called Trud. Torpedo Lipetsk was called Trudoviye Rezervy.
IV Zone
Notes: Dinamo Makhachkala was called Temp.
V Zone
VI Zone
Notes: Tomich Tomsk was called SibElectroMotor. Angara Irkutsk was called Mashinostroitel. Baykal Ulan-Ude was called Lokomotiv.
Final [Oct 24 – Nov 5, Krasnodar]
Ukraine
Final Chernomorets Odessa 2-1 0-0 SKA Odessa
Union republics I Zone
Notes: SelMash Liepaja was called Krasny Metallurg.
Number of teams by republics Number Union republics Team(s)5FC Lokomotiv Gomel, FC Khimik Mogilyov, FC Krasnoye Znamya Vitebsk, FC Spartak Brest, FC Bobruisk3FC Lokomotiv Tbilisi, FC Ritsa Sukhumi, FC Dinamo Batumi2FC Shirak Leninakan, FC Lori Kirovakan2FC REZ Riga, FC SelMash Liepaja2FC Nistrul Bendery, FC Pishchevik Tiraspol1SKF Tallinn1FK Banga Kaunas
II Zone
Notes: Nairi Yerevan was called Burevestnik. Alga Frunze was called Spartak. Metallurg Chimkent was called Yenbek. Temp Sumgait was called Metallurg. Start Tashkent was called Mehnat.
Number of teams by republics Number Union republics Team(s)3FC Shakhter Karaganda, FC Metallurg Chimkent, FC Metallist Jambul3FC Textilshchik Kirovabad, FC Temp Sumgait, FC Spartak Baku3FC Spartak Fergana, FC Start Tashkent, FC Dinamo Samarkand2FC Torpedo Kutaisi, FC Metallurg Rustavi2FC Energetik Dushanbe, FC Pamir Leninabad1FC Kopet-Dag Ashkhabad1FC Nairi Yerevan1FK Alga Frunze
Promotion/relegation Tournament [Oct 25 – Nov 5, Kishinev]
See also Soviet First League
External links 1961 Soviet Championship and Cup 1961 season at rsssf.com