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

WHAT HAPPENED
Ludek Miklosko, the former West Ham goalkeeper widely known as "Big Ludo", announced in late 2024 that he would stop further cancer treatment, three years after his diagnosis. Within days of that announcement he traveled to London and was greeted with a warm reception when he returned to the Boleyn Ground’s successor for a Premier League match against Liverpool.

Miklosko’s situation has drawn visible support from both of his clubs: West Ham fans continue to sing his name and Banik Ostrava supporters unveiled a large banner in his honour at a match earlier in 2025. He had previously undergone surgery in 2021 and received radiotherapy for a later tumour, but chose not to pursue chemotherapy after discussing options with his doctors.

KEY CONTEXT
Miklosko left Banik Ostrava for West Ham in February 1990 and became the first professional footballer from Czechoslovakia to sign for an English club. His arrival required a two-month wait for a work permit, during which he trained alone; Lou Macari accompanied him to England but resigned before Miklosko’s debut, and Billy Bonds instead took charge when he began playing.

At 6ft 5in, Miklosko played 374 times for West Ham across eight years, winning the club’s Hammer of the Year award as the team secured promotion back to the top flight in 1991. He also played in FA Cup and League Cup semi-finals, earned 42 senior international caps (including two for the Czech Republic after Czechoslovakia split), and later served as West Ham’s goalkeeping coach before finishing his playing career with three seasons at Queens Park Rangers. In 2022 he returned to Banik Ostrava as sporting director.

WHY IT MATTERS
Miklosko’s move to England came at a key moment after the fall of communism, marking a pathway for Eastern European players to join top Western leagues.