Ludek Miklosko dies: West Ham cult hero whose fans still sing his name
Ludek Miklosko dies: West Ham cult hero whose fans still sing his name
Thom GibbsMon, September 14, 2026 at 12:16 PM UTC
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Ludek Miklosko made 373 appearances for West Ham between 1990 and 1998 - Shutterstock
To fans of Manchester United he was the man who denied them a title, but to West Ham Ludek Miklosko was much more. A modern hero of the London club, Miklosko, who has died at the age of 64, made more than 350 appearances in eight years at Upton Park, the most famous of which sent the Premier League title to Blackburn Rovers.
On the final day of the 1994-95 season Rovers held a two point lead over Manchester United, who faced West Ham. Blackburn went ahead in their game against Liverpool at Anfield but Kenny Dalglish’s team were beaten 2-1 after a 90th-minute Jamie Redknapp free-kick. If that was dramatic then the match taking place simultaneously in East London matched it, largely thanks to an inspired performance from Miklosko in goal.
His bravery and athleticism were on full display in a goalkeeping exhibition which almost single-handedly secured an unlikely draw for West Ham. They came under immense pressure from the reigning champions but, with little to play for themselves, Miklosko and his side would not be breached.
Before Brian McClair’s equaliser Miklosko had flung himself at a Lee Sharpe header to tip it over the bar, but it was what came after, with the game at 1-1, which lives longest in the memory. There was another firm tip around the post from a Mark Hughes header, a race off his line to deny Andy Cole, then several more interventions at courageous close range to preserve a point for West Ham and send the trophy to Ewood Park.
That afternoon capped Miklosko’s career, but you do not become a legendary goalkeeper without years of consistency. The Czech arrived at West Ham from Banik Ostrava for £300,000 in 1990, when West Ham were in the old Second Division. He would play all 46 league matches in his first full season with the club and keep 21 clean sheets as Billy Bonds’s team won promotion to the First Division.
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They were relegated the year before the Premier League came into existence, but promoted back to the top flight for 1993-94, with Miklosko making the First Division’s team of the season. West Ham would remain in the Premier League for the rest of Miklosko’s eight-year spell, largely with him in goal. At one point he made 162 consecutive appearances, until a red card against Everton resulted in a one-match ban. He wound down his career with a move to Queens Park Rangers, initially on loan, for three years of steady service in the second tier.
He would return to West Ham as a goalkeeping coach, spending almost a decade with the club and working under four managers. The club said in a statement that Miklosko “will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the West Ham family.”
His name is still sung at most of their matches in the chant: “My name is Ludek Miklosko, I come from near Moscow, I play in goal for West Ham,” although Miklosko was always keen to point out that his hometown of Prostejov is closer to London than the capital of Russia. The London Stadium welcomed Miklosko in 2024 after his announcement that he would be withdrawing from further cancer treatment, three years after being diagnosed.
Miklosko acknowledges the West Ham fans at London Stadium in December 2024 (above) and clears the ball against Coventry City in 1997 (below) - Getty Images/Richard Pelham
PA/Barry Coombs
Miklosko will also be mourned in his home county after 211 appearances for Banik Ostrava, where he later worked as sporting director, as well as winning 40 caps for Czechoslovakia and two for the Czech Republic.
Miklosko’s family said “We are heartbroken at his loss, but take huge comfort from the immense support he received from all of you, along with the knowledge that he is now at peace and no longer suffering.
“Dad simply loved West Ham United, and especially hearing his name sung loud and proud at every game. The club, and its fans, were and always will be a part of our family, so thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”
Source: “AOL Sports”
