With the heartbreaking news that Ludek Miklosko has passed away at just 64, West Ham fans everywhere will be pausing today, remembering not just a great goalkeeper, but a man who genuinely loved the club and its people.
When writing for Over Land & Sea and some student magazines in my younger years, I was lucky enough to meet him several times. For me, he was always my number one in my Hammers XI when I spoke to Russ Budden on YouTube in 2020, edging out Phil Parkes simply because I watched every minute of his West Ham career as a season-ticket holder.
Luděk Mikloško
A Colossus Between The Sticks
Ludo’s debut came away at Swindon Town in 1990, a 2–2 draw under Lou Macari. His goal kicks were absurd, launched from one side of the pitch straight into the opposition box. A strange technique, but devastating. He was athletic, powerful, and an absolute colossus between the sticks.
The game that will forever live in my mind is the famous 1–1 draw with Manchester United, the day we denied them the title and handed it to Blackburn. Ludo was man of the match and deservedly so. United threw everything at him, and he stopped everything.
Across eight years, he made 373 appearances, later returning as a goalkeeping coach. A proper servant. A proper Hammer. And one of the most genuinely likeable players ever to wear the shirt.
A Moment That Summed Up Ludo
One moment sums him up. On one of my visits to the old training ground at Chadwell Heath, an unemployed fan asked if he could have Ludo’s gloves. Not only did Ludo hand them over, he signed them. Then the fan asked if he could take a penalty. Ludo agreed, invited me to join in, and of course saved my spot-kick.
It says everything about his legacy that fans still sing his name, even those too young to have seen him play.
“My name is Ludo Miklosko, I come from near Moscow, I play in goal for West Ham.”
In retirement, he’d introduce himself with a smile:
“Hi, I’m Ludo and I don’t come from Moscow!”
A legend. A gentleman. A Hammer forever.
RIP Ludo, gone far too soon, but never forgotten. X
Keep doing those spectacular saves up there in football heaven Ludo. You were too young to be taken from us. RiP big man🙏🏾⚒️
Thank you for being a Hammer Ludo, for everything you put into the club ….. RIP Big Man
R I P big man West Ham legend
God bless Ludo. You have left us far too soon. I’ll never forget you. You always were and always will be a Hammer. Fly high fella. COYI ⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️
Just as a point of interest, his famous song didn’t start until a few years of being with us and in its early days and during his playing days with us there was never the line “Hey, Big Boy, what’s your name”, it was just “Hey, you, what’s your name”
I have a feeling that evolved when he came back as a coach.
How sad. Ludo was my first footballing hero in the early 90s. Maybe my first chant was ‘Ludoooo’. I got his autograph in about 2002 outside Aldershot Town’s ground when he was a QPR player. I’m 195 cm but still felt short next to him. A real gentleman. May he rest in eternal peace
Decent keeper and West Ham legend. RIP
Hi Matt, that’s a fitting tribute thank you for it and, like you I saw much of his career, for me it was from behind the goal on the north bank. He epitomised so much of what we stood for back then and was taken to the hearts of all of us, he leaves this earth having brought joy to so many and his legacy will live on for many years. May you rest in peace ludo and I’m sending my heartfelt sorrow and love to his family. Thanks for so many of the best memories of my life as a West Ham fan ❤️
RIP – the fact we still sing his name now proves how much he is loved.
Thoughts with the family and friends of Ludo great player and man R I P
Oi big boy R.I.P
What a sad day.
I too was at that Swindon game. I remember him being the biggest person I’d ever seen (I was 12 at the time!!).
A great servant to the club. That Man Utd game has gone down in folklore and will be remembered by every living West Ham fan who saw it until their last breath.
A life well lived and a West Ham legend. Thanks for the memories, Ludo
Terribly sad news and right up there with Parkes as our greatest keeper ever.
So sad, what a hero he was to me.
Thanks for everything Ludo. RIP
I was there for his debut at Swindon. Sat by the sideline, i could hear him in his booming eastern european accent, the only word of English “KEEPER” whenever he came to claim the ball. Great keeper, lovely fella. RIP Ludo.
A great player but importantly he was a great man, RIP
Sad news. Great goalkeeper. RIP Ludo ⚒️
Ludo one of the real West Ham Legends and gentleman.
One of my top favourite players, So sad.
Hope he gets a big non stop chants on Tuesday night.
Great goalkeeper and lovely genuine person , 64 no age at all, im sitting here aged 73 thinking how lucky i am.
RIP Ludo
An absolute legend RIP Ludo ⚒️⚒️⚒️
Sad day. 🥲
RIP to a true West Ham United legend and absolute gentleman.
🪦💐⚒️🧤
Nice tribute to a lovely man. RIP Ludo