Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko dies aged 64

sportsSep 14, 202620199

Former West Ham, QPR and Czech Republic goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has died at the age of 64 after a battle with cancer. Miklosko made almost 400 appearances for West Ham between 1990 and 1998 and won promotion to the old First Division in 1990-91, when he was also named the club's Hammer of the Year. He is best remembered for his performance on the final day of the 1994-95 season, when West Ham drew 1-1 with Manchester United, a result that handed the Premier League title to Blackburn Rovers. Miklosko won 42 caps for Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic combined and spent eight years as a player at Banik Ostrava, later becoming head of that club's sports department. He made 57 league appearances for QPR from 1998 to 2001 before retiring. Miklosko withdrew from cancer treatment in December 2024, then received a hero's reception at West Ham's London Stadium days later, and West Ham announced a period of appreciation before their Carabao Cup third-round match at Fulham and will dedicate their next home Championship match, against QPR on 9 October, to him. His son Martin Miklosko said the family was "heartbroken" and thanked the club and supporters for their years of devotion.

Stephen Clark

@redtopwifi.bsky.social

i saw you make your debut when we were busy having fun trying to pronounce your name. i probably saw your last game for West Ham too. i remember the wonder saves (Oldham away springs to mind) and the occasional howler too! 64? way too young 😔 sad news. RIP Ludo #COYI www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

4526d ago

ollypunk.bsky.social3

That's very sad, but of a cult hero if I remember!

John oder Seán1

A giant of a man, remember him well, Ludo was some keeper. Jeez 64, no age that.

Derek Robinson1

I remember seeing him in the second leg against Oldham. He’d not even been around for the first leg, and he seemed to believe more than anyone they could turn it around. He was absolutely possessed that evening, even goal kicks were up the other end within a few seconds

Roger Protz

@rogerprotz.bsky.social

So sad to hear West Ham's giant of goalkeeping, hugely popular Ludek Miklosko has died. 373 games for WHU & Hammer of the Year. Fans still chant"My name is Ludek Miklosko I come from nr Moscow..." Lucky to have had a lovely chat with him at Budvar event. #SafeHands #RIPLudo

4026d ago

Mark Segal

@segalmark.bsky.social

Rest In Peace Ludo. Such a massive presence at West Ham growing up. Go well goalie

1326d ago

Colonel Q

@lowqualityregen.bsky.social

RIP Ludek Miklosko. I always love it when players become heroes at clubs they never played for

1226d ago

Sachin Nakrani

@sachinnakrani.bsky.social

By all accounts a lovely fella and, for me anyway, a bona fide icon of English football in the 1990s. Upton Park ‘95 and all that. RIP big man. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

926d ago

Mikehausen ⚒️

@mikehausen.bsky.social

Very sad news this morning. Our goalkeeping club icon has passed away. RIP Ludo, you will be sorely missed www.theguardian.com/football/202...

726d ago

Adie ⚒️

@r2dtoots.bsky.social

Genuinely upset at this sad news about Luděk Mikloško. Rest in eternal peace, Big Boy. ⚒️ My sincere condolences to Ludo's family. He was such a lovely man and an absolute gentleman. ❤️

B&W image of Luděk Mikloško wearing a West Ham Scarf.

FROM WEST HAM UNITED: It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United announces the passing of legendary former goalkeeper and coach, Luděk Mikloško.

926d ago

David

@ninjathunder.bsky.social

RIP Ludek Miklosko. Without his heroics that day we wouldn’t have got over the line.

Photo of Ludek Miklosko playing man united 14th May 1995

726d ago

4,000 Holes

@roversfanzine.bsky.social

Rest in peace Luděk Mikloško, forever an honorary Rovers legend thanks to his heroics on May 14th 1995

726d ago

Tom Larkin

@tomlarkin.bsky.social

Such sad news. This guy was my hero when I was getting into football in the early 90s and the reason I became a goalkeeper. All my mates pretended to be Lineker and Gazza in the playground. I was Ludo. RIP. ⚒️

426d ago

Foxton Rox

@foxtonrox.bsky.social

He last appeared for West Ham in 1997 - and 29 years later we still sing his song and remember him with pride and love. RIP Ludo 😔 www.whufc.com/en/news/a-st...

626d ago

Jason

@nickmotown.bsky.social

His name is still sung in the stands today. We'll always love him, for almost single-handedly (well, both hands, legs, body and face) denying Man Utd the title in 1995 and about a zillion other things. Safe travels, big man.

West ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko, wearing the green Dagenham Motors shirt, who died today.

626d ago

Brian O'Halloran

@playingwithdust.bsky.social

Ah, sad to see that Ludo Miklosko - the former Czechoslovakia, West Ham and QPR goalie - has passed away at 64. RIP

626d ago

Sir Arthur

@sirarthurindeed.bsky.social

RIP Ludek Miklosko. I was lucky enough to see him on the pitch before the Conference Final.

326d ago

Mark Ashworth

@he6rt6gr6m.bsky.social

Ludek Miklosko was like prime Gigi Buffon on that day in 1995. Without his performance, we likely don't win the Premier League. I don't know of many, if any, players that are held in such high regard by a fan base that could never say he played for them. An Ewood legend that never wore the shirt. 🌹

525d ago

3 sources

bbc.co.ukLudek Miklosko: Ex-West Ham goalkeeper dies aged 64 theguardian.comLudek Miklosko, former West Ham and QPR goalkeeper, dies aged 64 bloggersminds.comFormer West Ham United Goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko Dies at 64

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Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko dies aged 64

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