For the next six seasons Metalurgi did not achieve any significant success, although they signed several players who later joined the national team, namely Soso Grishikashvili, Zurab Menteshashvili, Aleksandre Rekhviashvili, and Levan Kobiashvili.

A year later, being Rustavi this time, they prevailed over the same opponents in play-offs, but due to financial difficulties failed to obtain a top-flight license.

Metalurgi finished on equal points as Zestaponi and was faced with a bizarre scandal involving the Football Federation.

Initially, the GFF sided with Metalurgi, although after an executive committee extraordinary meeting held the next day, it announced a final decision in favor of Zestaponi.

[5] Despite some decline, experienced by Metalurgi in following years, their players occasionally still featured in different post-season nominations.

The club had amassed debts exceeding 8₾ million and could not afford to pay salaries to its staff and players.