Ludek Mikloško
Encyclopedia
Luděk "Ludo" Mikloško is a Czech
retired football goalkeeper.
manager Lou Macari
who signed him on 19 February 1990, just before his resignation and the appointment of Billy Bonds
as his successor, for a fee of £300,000.
A brave and excellent shot stopper with a huge clearance kick, he went on to play 374 times for the team. He was named Hammer of the Year in 1991 - the year that West Ham were promoted to the First Division
as Second Division
runners-up, and also reached the FA Cup
semi finals. Although the Hammers were relegated the following season and missed out on being founder members of the new FA Premier League
in 1992, he helped them win promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt - beginning a 10-year unbroken spell at this level, although during Miklosko's time at the club they never finished higher than eighth (in his final season).
He is well remembered for a man of the match performance against Manchester United on the last day of the 1994/95 season where West Ham drew 1–1 with Manchester United to help secure Blackburn Rovers their first league title in over 80 years. He was eventually sold to Queens Park Rangers
in 1998 for a nominal fee after a successful loan
spell.
Miklosko received 40 caps for Czechoslovakia
and two caps for the Czech Republic
. He retired due to injury in 2001. He then returned to West Ham, where he took up a goalkeeping coaching role.
However in March 2010, he left West Ham United; neither club nor Miklosko commenting as to why. Kevin Hitchcock
was appointed temporary goalkeeping coach until the end of the 2009–10 season.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
retired football goalkeeper.
Career
Mikloško started his career in his native Czechoslovakia with Baník Ostrava. His talent was noted by West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
manager Lou Macari
Lou Macari
Luigi "Lou" Macari is a Scottish former footballer and football manager of Italian descent.-Playing career:...
who signed him on 19 February 1990, just before his resignation and the appointment of Billy Bonds
Billy Bonds
William Arthur "Billy" Bonds MBE is a former professional footballer and manager, who is most often associated with West Ham United with whom he spent 27 years as player and manager...
as his successor, for a fee of £300,000.
A brave and excellent shot stopper with a huge clearance kick, he went on to play 374 times for the team. He was named Hammer of the Year in 1991 - the year that West Ham were promoted to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
as Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
runners-up, and also reached the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
semi finals. Although the Hammers were relegated the following season and missed out on being founder members of the new FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
in 1992, he helped them win promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt - beginning a 10-year unbroken spell at this level, although during Miklosko's time at the club they never finished higher than eighth (in his final season).
He is well remembered for a man of the match performance against Manchester United on the last day of the 1994/95 season where West Ham drew 1–1 with Manchester United to help secure Blackburn Rovers their first league title in over 80 years. He was eventually sold to Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
in 1998 for a nominal fee after a successful loan
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
spell.
Miklosko received 40 caps for Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia national football team
The Czechoslovakia national football team was the national association football team of Czechoslovakia from 1922 to 1993. At the dissolution of Czechoslovakia at the end of 1992, the team was participating in UEFA qualifying Group 4 for the 1994 World Cup; it completed this campaign under the name...
and two caps for the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
. He retired due to injury in 2001. He then returned to West Ham, where he took up a goalkeeping coaching role.
However in March 2010, he left West Ham United; neither club nor Miklosko commenting as to why. Kevin Hitchcock
Kevin Hitchcock
Kevin Hitchcock is an English former football goalkeeper who made nearly 300 appearances in the Football League and Premier League playing for Mansfield Town, Chelsea and Northampton Town.-Career:...
was appointed temporary goalkeeping coach until the end of the 2009–10 season.
External links
- Jan Palička: Luděk Mikloško: Fotbal v Anglii je jako jiná dimenze, MF DNES