WEST HAM hero Ludek Miklosko has revealed that he has been battling cancer for the past few years.
The former Hammers stopper revealed he was battling the deadly disease three years ago after finding a small lump on his hip.
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Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has revealed he is battling cancerCredit: GETTY
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Miklosko discovered he had a growth on his hip three years agoCredit: GETTY
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But it later turned out that the former Czech stopper had an inoperable tumor in his stomach along with several smaller Credits: REX
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The 63-year-old chose not to undergo chemotherapy, which doctors could not guarantee would be successfulCredit: GETTY
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Miklosko decided not to undergo chemotherapy in order to have a better quality of lifeCredit: REX
The 63-year-old’s initial treatment went well, although doctors failed to detect several other tumors in his body – including an inoperable stomach tumor.
Miklosko underwent radiotherapy to shrink the growth, but doctors soon discovered there were several other tumors.
The only option for Miklosko was chemotherapy, for which doctors could not guarantee success.
So the retired goalkeeper made the heartbreaking decision not to seek treatment to ensure the best quality in his final days.
Explaining his decision, he told West Ham’s official website: “I’ve been thinking about this and I’ve 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 slow it down a bit, but it wouldn’t stop it and there would be other issues to deal with.
“I decided not to go for chemotherapy, because I want to live a normal life.
The day Miklosko denied Man Utd the title
Author: Henry Tomlinson
LUDEK MIKLOSKO was once responsible for denying Manchester United the Premier League title.
On the final day of the 1994/95 season, the Red Devils traveled to West Ham’s former home, the Boleyn Ground.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side needed to better Blackburn’s result to secure a third consecutive title.
The Hammers confirmed their place in the league with a 3-0 win over Liverpool the game before.
Despite having nothing to play for, Michael Hughes caused a shock when he put the hosts in front.
Brian McClair equalized for Man United after the break to put them just one goal away from winning the title.
However, Miklosko played a brilliant game in which he denied Ferguson’s players again and again.
Blackburn lost the game at Anfield 2-1, but a draw would not be enough for Man United.
Miklosko talked about the game in 2020 and admitted that he never gets tired of talking about it.
He said: “I’ve been asked about the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground in May 1995 so many times but I’ll never tire of talking about it.
“In fact, I was at a Manchester United training session recently with some young goalkeepers – I’m a player representative now – and there were members of staff there who remembered that game.
“Some of them came up to me and talked about the game and a few of them said ‘I was there and I remember that game and I hated you!’. We had a good laugh about it.
“It was one of those games when everything went my way, but also a good team game.
“We scored a good goal and defended so well to stop Manchester United, who were a very good team and wanted to win the title on the last day of the season.”
“I have very good people around me, I have my job and my football, which is my life, all I know. I want to keep doing it as long as I can.”
Miklosko was delayed from undergoing grueling and debilitating chemotherapy after it became clear to him that his entire life would be put on hold.
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He said: “When I was told what chemotherapy would mean, it was a case of not being able to work or be around my colleagues for about six months, not being able to travel, having an illness and everything.
“And I said, ‘No – I don’t want that. There’s no point. ‘I want to live my life’.”
On Sunday evening, Miklosko was present at the Olympic Stadium in the Hammers’ clash with first-placed Liverpool.
The club paid tribute to the former goalkeeper ten minutes before the start of the match.
Miklosko was looking forward to returning to East London, saying: “It will be very special for me.
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: Ludek Miklosko was the guest of honor at the London Stadium on Sunday nightCredit: GETTY
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He was welcomed by the Hammers faithful. Credit: REUTERS
“And, of course, the fans.
“After all these years, they still remember me, they still sing my name and it’s a great feeling.
“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 is very similar. Hardworking people, loyal and passionate.
“If I ever do an interview here in the Czech Republic, I always say that and make that comparison.
“West Ham United is my second family. And I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday.”
Miklosko was present for West Ham’s triumph in the European Conference League final against Fiorentina last summer.
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Ludek Miklosko has fond memories of his time with West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Miklosko uprooted from his native Czech Republic with his wife and son in February 1990 to join the Hammers.
He would make 318 appearances for the East Londoners during his eight-year tenure.
Miklosko and his family enjoyed England so much that his son asked him to move to Old Blighty after they returned to the Czech Republic.
He told The Athletic: “When we got back to the [the] Czech Republic, my son begged me and his mom to leave him in England.
“He immediately said, ‘Why on earth are we here?’ that he wants to stay there without us.
“Seeing my son overcome his problems brought a big smile to my face. I agree
“West Ham worked well for all of us.”
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