Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Former West Ham Goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko Dies at 64
Ludek Miklosko was a goalkeeper who played for West Ham United and the Czech national teams.
He moved from Banik Ostrava to England in 1990.
He became one of West Ham’s most popular players and made 373 appearances for the club.
Fans especially remembered a match in 1995 when he made many important saves against Manchester United.
The draw helped prevent Manchester United from winning the league title that season.
Miklosko later coached West Ham’s goalkeepers.
He also helped fellow Czech player Tomas Soucek during Soucek’s career.
Miklosko was diagnosed with cancer in 2021 and stopped treatment in December 2024.
His death was announced by his family and Banik Ostrava at the age of 64.
Ludek Miklosko, a former West Ham, QPR and Czech international goalkeeper, has died aged 64 after battling cancer.
He made 373 appearances for West Ham and helped the club win promotion to England’s top flight in 1991.
Miklosko became renowned for his performance in West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United in May 1995.
He later returned to West Ham as a goalkeeping coach and mentored fellow Czech international Tomas Soucek.
West Ham and Banik Ostrava mourned Miklosko, whose death was announced by his family and the Czech club.
- Who
- Ludek Miklosko, former West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic goalkeeper
- What
- His death at age 64 after a battle with cancer
- When
- The death was announced on Monday; he had announced his withdrawal from cancer treatment in December 2024
- Where
- Miklosko was associated with West Ham United in London and Banik Ostrava in the Czech Republic
- Why
- He had been fighting cancer after receiving a diagnosis in 2021
- Age at death
- 64
- West Ham appearances
- 373
- International appearances
- 42 for Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic
- Signature match
- A 1-1 draw with Manchester United in May 1995
- Later West Ham role
- Goalkeeping coach until 2010
- Cancer diagnosis
- 2021
- West Ham arrival
- Reports place his move from Banik Ostrava in 1990; one reports February and another December
