in 1952-53 they reached the a-liga for the first time, the highest division of austrian football then, beating kapfenberger sv in the play-offs. they played there for 3 seasons but were relegated in 1959. to stay in the league they signed erich probst, who was the second best scorer in the fifa world cup 1954. in 20 matches he scored 14 goals, which helped salzburg stay in the league. he was also the first player of sv austria who played for the austrian national football team.