'Big Ludo' - trailblazing keeper who became West Ham cult figure

Miklosko played more than 350 times in goal for West Ham [Getty Images] More than a quarter of a century after he stopped playing for West Ham, the chant still regularly sung by fans shows the affection in which former Hammers goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko is held. My name is Ludo Miklosko, I come from near Moscow, I play in goal for West Ham (West Ham!), When I walk down the street, Everyone that I meet, Says "Oi! Big boy! What's your name?" Miklosko announced late in 2024 that he was withdrawing from further cancer treatment three years after his diagnosis. Days later he returned to West Ham for a Premier League match against Liverpool to a hero's reception. On Monday, it was announced he has died at the age of 64. No matter that his birthplace of Prostejov is about 1,000 miles from Moscow (and actually nearer London), Miklosko was a popular player who went on a trailblazing journey and won 42 international caps - the last two for the Czech Republic following Czechoslovakia's dissolution. Miklosko was the first professional player from his country to join an English club [Getty Images] In a pre-internet era, Miklosko was barely known outside his homeland when he arrived in the English capital from Czech club Banik Ostrava in February 1990 as a long-term replacement for Phil Parkes in West Ham's goal. The fall of communism had opened a path for players to leave eastern Europe for the elite leagues in the west, and after a two-month wait for a work permit during which he trained alone, he eventually became the first footballer to move from Czechoslovakia to England. Manager Lou Macari travelled to Prague to accompany his £300,000 signing on the flight to Heathrow Airport but missed his debut, resigning a day later, with Billy Bonds taking over. Miklosko, then aged 28, began his time in England staying in a hotel, with little grasp of English and no car, and would be given lifts to and from training by team-mates Ian Bishop and Trevor Morley. The goalkeeper went on to become a cult figure with supporters, making 374 appearances for the Hammers over eight years, and had a spell back at the club as goalkeeping coach after ending his playing days with a three-year stint at Queens Park Rangers. He was named the Hammer of the Year as West Ham won promotion back to the top flight in 1991 with a squad that included Julian Dicks and Frank McAvennie, and appeared in FA Cup and League Cup semi-finals. The 6ft 5in shot-stopper will be particularly remembered for some brilliant displays in front of the old Boleyn Ground crowd. Most memorable of all was on the final day of the 1994-95 season, when he single-handedly kept out the attacking might of Manchester United to deny them a third consecutive Premier League title. A victory for the visitors would have given them the trophy as Blackburn lost to Liverpool, but they were held to a 1-1 draw and Rovers were crowned champions. Miklosko stood in United's way, denying Mark Hughes, Lee Sharpe and Andy Cole in what frustrated Red Devils manager Alex Ferguson described as a "siege". Years later, the keeper visited Manchester United's training academy, where staff recalled his efforts. "A few of them said: 'I was there and remember that game and I hated you'. We had a good laugh about it," he told West Ham's website in 2020, saying he "never tired" of talking about that match. Miklosko had an operation to remove a lump he discovered on his hip in 2021, and while radiotherapy initially helped with a further stomach tumour, he decided against chemotherapy for more tumours after discussions with his doctors. He had returned to Banik Ostrava as sporting director in 2022 and wanted to carry on working. Supporters there unveiled a giant banner in support of him at a game earlier in 2025, with his picture and the words 'Big Ludo'. "I have two football clubs in my heart - Banik Ostrava and West Ham United - and in a funny way they are very similar. Even the mentality of the fans, very similar. Hard-working people, loyal and passionate," he said, "If I am ever doing an interview here in the Czech Republic, I am always saying this and making this comparison. "West Ham United is my second family. After all these years, they still remember me, still sing my name, and that is a great feeling." His name is Ludek Miklosko. He will be fondly remembered.