 In 1951, managed by Mieczyslaw Bieniek, Budowlani won promotion to the second tier of Polish football system.In 1952, the team achieved promotion to the Ekstraklasa, after the playoffs with Wlokniarz Krakow (3–2, 1–1).The team from Opole debuted in the Polish top league on March 15, 1953, losing at home 1–2 to Gwardia Warszawa (the lone goal for Budowlani was scored by Augustyn Pocwa).