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Ludek Miklosko: Former West Ham goalkeeper reveals why he has ended cancer treatment

Ludek Miklosko, former West Ham United goalkeeper, acknowledges the fans prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Liverpool FC at London Stadium on December 29, 2024 in London, Englan
Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko, who revealed he has decided not to undergo chemotherapy, is still a firm fan favourite - Getty Images/Richard Pelham

Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has announced he is ceasing treatment for stomach cancer because he does not wish to go through chemotherapy.

The 63-year-old, who made nearly 400 appearances in an eight-year spell at Upton Park, had a small cancerous lump on his hip removed three years ago but a larger tumour was discovered in his stomach last year.

After undergoing radiotherapy, the tumour reduced in size but new tumours were found shortly afterwards. “At that point it became clear the only further course of treatment would be chemotherapy,” said Miklosko, speaking to West Ham’s official website.

“I was thinking about this, and had another conversation with the doctor in Ostrava, and it was made clear to me that there could be no guarantees that it would work. Maybe it would help to slow it down a little bit, but it would not stop it and there would be other issues to deal with.

“I decided not to take the chemotherapy, because I want to live a normal life. I have very good people around me, and I have my work and my football, which is my life, all I have known. I want to keep doing that for as long as I can.”

Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko playing for the Hammers in a Division One match against Millwall
Miklosko made 219 appearances for West Ham in all competitions - David Davies/Getty Images

After finishing his career at Queens Park Rangers, Miklosko worked as goalkeeping coach at West Ham until 2010. Now working as sporting director of his former club Baník Ostrava, in the Czech Republic, Miklosko is back in London for Sunday’s match against Liverpool at the London Stadium.

“When they told me about what the chemotherapy would mean, it was a case of not being able to work or be around my colleagues for around six months, not travel, have some sickness and everything else, and I said no – I do not want that,” said Miklosko. “There is no point.

“I want to live my life. That is why I am so happy to be coming to London and to watch the team on Sunday. I have spoken to some of my former team-mates and I am looking forward to seeing them again. It will be very special to me.”

The Czech arrived in east London from Baník in 1990, the period following the fall of the Berlin Wall, which allowed Eastern European players to move into previously inaccessible overseas leagues. He won promotion to the top flight as an ever-present in West Ham’s Second Division campaign of 1990-91 and is still beloved at the club, whose fans nicknamed him Ludo.

He is perhaps best known to neutrals for his man-of-the-match display on the final day of the 1994-95 season, when his heroics earned a draw for West Ham against Manchester United that clinched the title for Blackburn Rovers.