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.
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