1970–1985: Build-up for the top division With Northern Norwegian clubs accepted in the cup, the only thing left to be included in was the top division. This occurred in 1972, when FK Mjølner moved to the 1. divisjon. However, at the time, Tromsø was fighting in the bottom of the Northern Norwegian 2nd division (Until 1979, the 2. divisjon was divided in three different groups, two southern and one northern – with the winners of the southern groups being promoted to the top division, while the winner of the northern group would have to face the 2nd placed teams of the two southern groups), and was eventually relegated. In 1975, Tromsø would be back in the 2. divisjon after winning promotion the year before. However, the club was once more relegated, this time after only one season in the second highest level of the league system. Tromsø was back in the 2. divisjon in 1978, and won it this time. However, the qualification matches against the two southern teams Hamarkameratene and Fredrikstad FK were lost 3–0 and 1–0 respectively. The next year, 1979, marked the first year with an all-Norwegian 2. divisjon, giving equal chances for all teams, regardless of geographical position. Tromsø did not do too well and was again relegated.
1970–1985: bUild-uP for the toP dIvision witH noRtHErn nORWEgian CLubS aCCEPTed In tHE cup, The oNly tHing Left to be incluDed iN WaS tHe top Division. thiS occurred iN 1972, wheN fK mJØLnER moVed to thE 1. divisjoN. hoWeveR, At thE TiMe, TroMsØ WaS fighting In The BOtTOm of thE norTHern Norwegian 2nd diviSIon (uNTil 1979, the 2. divisJon waS DIViDed in thRee dIFferent groUps, twO souThErN and onE nortHern – With THE winnErS of ThE souThern gRoUps BeIng proMOTEd tO tHe tOp division, WHile tHe winner of tHE nOrtherN grouP WouLd haVe TO faCE tHe 2nD placEd tEams Of thE twO souTheRn gROUPS), and waS EvenTually relegated. in 1975, tRomsø would bE BacK in thE 2. diVIsjoN AFTer wiNniNg PrOmotion tHe yEAr before. HoweVEr, the clUB WAs onCe MOre rElegAteD, THis timE afteR only one sEaSOn in The Second highest LeveL of The LEague system. TrOmsø was bacK IN tHE 2. divisjoN In 1978, aNd wON iT ThIS Time. hoWevEr, THE qualiFIcaTIoN matchEs Against the tWo soutHerN tEams HAmaRKAmERaTeNe and fredrIKsTAD fK wERe LosT 3–0 and 1–0 respeCTIveLY. the nexT yeAR, 1979, marKeD the firsT Year wiTh an ALL-norWEgIAn 2. dIVisjoN, giviNG EQual chAncEs for aLl teams, regardlEss of geograPHiCaL Position. tRoMsø did NOt dO too well aNd wAs agAiN RelegAteD.