Prima Divisione (First Division) was the name of the first level of theItalian Football Championship from 1921 to 1926.[1] The competition was initially founded in opposition to the FIGC by the richest clubs of Northern Italy, which disagreed the old format of the championship, based on regional groups. In 1921–22, two concurrent championships took place, before FIGC accepted the new format for 1922–23.[2]
The Prima Divisione was divided in two leagues: Lega Nord(Northern League) and Lega Sud(Southern League). The Lega Nord championship was the main competition, and it was divided in two groups of twelve teams each. The winners of the two groups qualified for the final(Northern League Final) while the last teams were relegated in Seconda Divisione(Second Division). The Lega Sud championship was still divided in many regional groups; the best two teams ofCampania,Lazio andApulia and the winners of theSicily andMarches groups qualified for the semifinals(Southern League Semifinals) of two groups. The winners of the semifinals advanced to the final. The winners of the two leagues qualified for the Finalissima (literallyThe Biggest Final). The team that won the national final won thescudetto, firstly introduced for the 1923-24 championsGenoa.[3]
Because of the fascistViareggio Charter, in 1926 the Prima Divisione championship was renamed asDivisione Nazionale(National Division), merging the best southern clubs into the Northern League. The second level of the Italian football consequently took the name of Prima Divisional, as it happened in England in 1992. In 1929 with the creation of theSerie A andSerie B championships the Prima Divisione became the third level of the Italian Football. In 1935 with the creation of theSerie C championship the Prima Divisione became the fourth level of the Italian football. In 1948 with the creation of thePromozione championship the first division became the fifth level of the Italian championship. In 1952 with the creation of theIV Serie championship the Prima Divisione became the sixth level. In 1959 the Prima Divisione championship was replaced by localPrima Categoria,Seconda Categoria andTerza Categoria championships.
| Year | Winner | Runners-up | Top scorer (club) (goals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1921–22 | Pro Vercelli | Fortitudo Roma | |
| 1922–23 | Genoa | Lazio | |
| 1923–24 | Genoa | Savoia |  Heinrich Schoenfeld (Torino) (22) |
| 1924–25 | Bologna | Alba Roma |  Mario Magnozzi (Livorno) (19) |
| 1925–26 | Juventus | Alba Roma | Ferenc Hirzer (Juventus) (35) |
| Year | Winner | Runners-up | Top scorer (club) (goals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1921–22 | Pro Vercelli | Genoa | |
| 1922–23 | Genoa | Pro Vercelli | |
| 1923–24 | Genoa | Bologna | Heinrich Schoenfeld (Torino) (22) |
| 1924–25 | Bologna | Genoa | Mario Magnozzi (Livorno) (19) |
| 1925–26 | Juventus | Bologna | Ferenc Hirzer (Juventus) (31) |
| Year | Winner | Runners-up | Top scorer (club) (goals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1921–22 | Fortitudo Roma | Puteolana | |
| 1922–23 | Lazio | Savoia | |
| 1923–24 | Savoia | Alba Roma | Fulvio Bernardini (Lazio) (19) |
| 1924–25 | Alba Roma | Anconitana | Fulvio Bernardini (Lazio) (16) |
| 1925–26 | Alba Roma | Internaples | Bukovich (Alba Roma) (25) |
| Club | Appearances in First Division | Appearances in Second Division | League left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alessandria | 5 | - | - |
| Andrea Doria | 5 | - | - |
| Brescia | 5 | - | - |
| Bologna | 5 | - | - |
| Casale | 5 | - | - |
| Genoa | 5 | - | - |
| Internazionale | 5 | - | - |
| Juventus | 5 | - | - |
| Legnano | 5 | - | - |
| Livorno | 5 | - | - |
| Mantova | 4 | 1 | - |
| Milan | 5 | - | - |
| US Milanese | 2 | 3 | - |
| Modena | 5 | - | - |
| Novara | 5 | - | - |
| Padova | 5 | - | - |
| Pisa | 5 | - | - |
| Pro Vercelli | 5 | - | - |
| Savona | 2 | 3 | - |
| Spezia | 4 | 1 | - |
| Torino | 5 | - | - |
| Venezia | 1 | 4 | - |
| Verona | 5 | - | - |
| Vicenza | 1 | 3 | left in 1923–24 |
| Club | Appearances in First Division | Appearances in Second Division | League left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cremonese | 4 | - | - |
| Esperia Como | 1 | 2 | left in 1925 |
| Lucchese | 1 | 3 | - |
| Novese | 2 | 2 | - |
| Pastore Torino | 1 | 1 | left in 1924 |
| Petrarca Padova | 1 | 3 | - |
| Rivarolese | 1 | 3 | - |
| Sampierdarenese | 4 | - | - |
| Spal | 1 | 3 | - |
| Speranza Savona | 1 | 3 | - |
| U.S. Torinese | 1 | 1 | left in 1924 |
| Udinese | 2 | 2 | - |
| Virtus Bologna | 2 | 1 | left in 1925 |
| Club | Appearances in First Division | Appearances in Second Division | League left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derthona (from CCI) | 2 | 3 | - |
| Reggiana (from FIGC) | 2 | 2 | - |
| Parma (from FIGC) | 1 | 3 | - |