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Tributes paid after former West Ham keeper and coach Ludek Miklosko dies aged 64

Tributes have been paid after former West Ham keeper and coach Ludek Miklosko dies aged 64, his family confirm in a statement.

He made 318 appearances for the Hammers between 1990 and 1998, then played 57 times for Queens Park Rangers between 1998 and 2001.

He retired and headed back to West Ham, taking the role of a goalkeeping coach before leaving in 2010, went back to Czech Republic, worked for a sporting investment agency and also had been sporting director at his former club Baník Ostrava since 2024.

But his family have confirmed on Monday the 14th of September 2026 that he passed away following a battle with stomach cancer.

The statement read:

It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United shares the following statement from Martin Mikloško, son of our legendary former goalkeeper and coach, Luděk Mikloško…

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of my Dad Luděk, following a brave and courageous battle with cancer.

“On behalf of my Mum and my family, I would like to sincerely thank the fans and everyone at West Ham United Football Club for the kind wishes, thoughts and prayers that were sent to my Dad during his illness.

“We know that the many messages and wishes from his former teammates and fans alike were a huge sense of comfort to him in his battle with cancer, and gave him the strength to not give up and keep fighting for as long as he could.

“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.”

The Mikloško family

The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at West Ham United are with Luděk’s family as they come to terms with their loss, and we kindly ask that their privacy is respected at this sad and difficult time.

A period of appreciation to honour Luděk will be held before kick-off at Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Fulham, and our following home EFL Championship fixture, against Queens Park Rangers on Friday 9 October, will be dedicated to Luděk’s memory. Further tributes will also appear across Club channels in the coming days.

Rest in peace Luděk, our beloved, inspirational goalkeeper and gentle giant of a man.

As mentioned, tributes paid after former West Ham keeper and coach Ludek Miklosko dies aged 64…

@Ironssparky1985:
Oi Big Boy what’s your name
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,
Everybody I meet says,
Oi big boy,
What’s your name,
My name is Ludo Miklosko
I come from near Moscow,
I play in goal for West Ham ⚒️

@Cockneyboy76: Genuinely one of the clubs greats. Immortalised already with his own song sung proudly up and down the country. RIP Ludo 🩵⚒️

@ClaretBluBlood: Absolutely devastated. My favourite ever GK and have been dreading this day. Genuinely gutted 💔 Love to the Ludo family ❤️

@rickwhufc: Oh what a shame terrible news this morning, was my keeper growing up & just such an absolute cult hero Only fitting that we’re at home tomorrow so that we can give him a fantastic send off. RIP big man 🧤🇨🇿 ⚒️🫧

@j22oph: R.I.P. big man, a brilliant goalie but an even better person. Condolences to his family and friends. Never forgotten, a truly brilliant ambassador of West Ham United ♥️

@kajarnold: Really sad to see this. Fabulous goalkeeper but more importantly one of the nicest men you could ever wish to meet. An absolute fans favourite and club legend. RIP Ludo.

@pennx0: I went to see West Ham Vs Wimbledon in 1995. We lived far away so getting to a game was rare. We won 3-0. Julian Dicks scored a penalty, then Jeroen Boere and Tony Cottee scored. I met Ludo (and Jeroen and Tony), got a photo and an autograph. Great memories.

@DHurleybooks: The first goalkeeper I ever saw play for us. Every week when the team was about to be read out I’d panic that he might not be in goal, and was so relieved when he was. A mountain of a man, and a fantastic goalkeeper & servant to the club. RIP Ludo.

@TheLawless: Awful news. An amazing player and more importantly an amazing person gone way too soon. Rest in Peace Legend.

@Sebby2067: Very sad news along with Parkesy one of our greatest keepers imo a good shotstopper helped us stop the mancs winning the title and just a very quiet humble man who got on with his job RIP Ludo gone too soon but never forgotten

@ExWHUEmployee: An absolute hero of mine from when I first started going to West Ham. I had the privilege of doing a couple of events with him too and he was such a gentleman. Really sad news. Forever immortalised with his chant 🙏🏻❤️⚒

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