 In 1967, Pforzheim fell to the third division Amateurliga Nordbaden and spent a dozen seasons there before slipping again in 1979 to fourth-tier play.They returned to the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg (III) in 1985 and followed up their promotion with a Baden Cup win in 1987 leading to their first DFB-Pokal appearance in 1987–88.They progressed into the Round of 16 before being put out by Bundesliga side Werder Bremen (1–1, 1–3).