Ludek Miklosko: the former West Ham goalkeeper retires from cancer treatment

Former West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko has announced his decision to retire from further cancer treatment three years after his diagnosis.

The Czech Republic, 63, made nearly 400 senior appearances during his eight-year career with the club and later returned to the coaching staff.

Miklosko, who will be at the London Stadium on Sunday when visiting Premier League leaders Liverpool, said in a statement at the West Ham website: “I feel good at the moment.

“Lots of friends told me if I didn’t know what to do, you’d think I’d be fine, that’s nice to hear from me, that’s what I’ve been feeling for the longest time. .

West Ham said: “The whole West Ham United family is with Ludek this season, and we encourage everyone attending today’s game to be in their seats 10 minutes before kick-off to give him the reception and love he so richly deserves.”

Miklosko helped West Ham to promotion in 1991 and 1993 and appeared in both the FA Cup and League semi-finals for the Irons.

He is currently the sporting director at Banik Ostrava in his home country, where he started his club career and made more than 200 appearances before joining West Ham in 1990.

“I still work, I can be with the players and the people, and my life is very busy at the moment,” said Miklosko.

“I try to keep it that way. I want to be busy and agile and be around decorating as much as I can because that’s what I love.”

Miklosko decided against chemotherapy following discussions with his doctor.

He had to remove a mass found in his hip three years ago, but another tumor had grown in his stomach. While initially radiotherapy is helpful, the discovery of many new tumors indicates that chemotherapy is required.

Many types of chemotherapy treatment are used to kill cancer cells, although the range of side effects they cause and the effectiveness of each treatment can vary significantly.

“I didn’t decide to take chemotherapy because I want to live a normal life,” Miklosko said.

“I have a lot of good people around me, and I have my work and football, which is my life, I know everyone. I want to do this as long as I can.

“When they told me what chemotherapy meant, it was the chance of not being able to work or be around my colleagues for about six months, not to travel, to have some illness and everything else, and I didn’t say – I don’t want that.”