1961-61 League

The size of the league doubled from eight to sixteen and new centres were created. In the Central Region the Cape Coast venue, which had been closed the previous season was re-opened, in addition to Agona Swedru. In Ashanti, Dunkwa/Obuasi centre was created, as was Nkawkaw for the Eastern Region and Sunyani for Brong Ahafo.

New clubs admitted into the league were Swedru All Blacks and Real Republikans (Swedru); Denkyira United and Adansi United (Dunkwa/Obuasi); Great Ashanti and B.A United (Sunyani); Accra Standfast and Kumasi United (Nkawkaw).

This was a very controversial season. The formation of model club, Real Republikans, which deprived each league club of its two top players, raised a storm of protest from the sporting public. The poached players were Addo Odametey, Ofei Dodoo (Hearts): Dodoo Ankrah, E.O Oblitey (Olympics); Dogo Moro, Baba Yara (Kotoko); Edward Acquah, Cromwell (Wise); Bob Neizer, George Appiah (Hasaacas) Joe Aikins, Kojo Appiah (Corners); Thompson Nunoo, (Vipers); Edward Boateng, (Standfast); Osei Kwasi (Great Ashantis); Franklin Crentsil (Independence).

Asante Kotoko were then the most outspoken club. Kotoko actually threatened to boycott the league and in an unprecedented display of power by the authorities, a hurriedly formed team, Kumasi United, was alerted to stand by and replace the Porcupine Warriors.

After a series of negotiations Kotoko agreed to play the league but for daring to revolt in the first place, their punishment was to honour all their first round home matches at Nkawkaw ,The situation changed in the second half and Kumasi United shifted to Nkawkaw while Kotoko returned to their natural habitat.

Another controversial aspect of this season was the role played by Real Republikans in the league. The star-studded team played on a non-scoring basis. What this meant was that it did not count if they won a match, but that they could be beaten for two solid points.

This was an important factor in a deciding fixture between Hearts and Republikans. The Phobians needed to win to capture the league trophy and the general feeling after the match was that Republikans had deliberately made things easy for Hearts to become champions. It was quite easy to make such a charge, for a defeat over Hearts would have given the cup to Kotoko, and Kotoko were the bitterest enemies of Republikans.

Some soccer historians say the Hearts-Republikans match in question was the first officially sanctioned fixed match in the country.

The star attraction in the season was once again Aggrey Fynn. The schemer-cum-goal-getter scored 30 goals for his new club, Hearts, in the last ten fixtures. Relegation was introduced for the first time. Three teams, Adansi United, Denkyira United and Kumasi United were relegated.