Cádiz C. F. Logo

Cádiz first reached La Liga in 1977–78, after having spent two decades in the second division. Relegated after just one season, it returned in 1980, managing a further 13-year stay.

Often led by the skills of Salvadoran Mágico González, the club managed to miraculously maintain its top flight status in the 1990–91 season, thanks to youth graduate Kiko (and 25 minutes of his inspiration against Real Zaragoza), who picked up the offensive burden after González left. During the late 1980s and early 1990s the club became known as "The Yellow Submarine", due to its capacity of "coming afloat" every year at the end of each season and remain in the top division, despite having been "sunk down" during most of the campaign.

However, in just two seasons, Cádiz dropped down two levels. After a long spell in Segunda División B the club was finally promoted in 2003, spectacularly returning to the top level in 2005, after taking the championship with a last-day victory at neighbours Xerez CD.

However, Cádiz was eventually relegated back to the second tier, in the 37th and penultimate matchday of 2005–06. For the following campaign, former Spanish international Oli took the reins of the team, being sacked after only a few months.

In June 2008, Cádiz dropped another level, returning to the Second B. However, after just one season, it managed to return to the second division, but was immediately relegated in the 2009–10 campaign. During the 2015–16 the club finished its season in Group 4 in 4th place and qualified for the promotion playoffs, they beat Hércules CF 1–0 in the 1st and 2nd leg and therefore promoted back to Segunda División after 6 years.