Luděk Mikloško

We had arrived at Leeds and I was sure it was going to be a bloodbath. Leeds. Wimbledon. The Crystal Palace. And waiting for us, the exceptional team of Millwall. Blood was flowing on and off that pitch.

It looked like something between football and rugby. Players were flying through the air. Everyone knew and everyone was fine with it. Even the refs. Even I knew that I had to get some to give some.

That was England in the 90s.

The game was primitive, at least from today’s standards. No one really cared about what was going on between the penalty areas. Quick counterplay, centre the ball in front of their goal and fight. Then sprint back to the other side. High tempo, high intensity.

People loved that.

We played in front of sold-out stands twice a week that were in an unbelievable state of turmoil. There were stadiums where opponents feared the fans in the galleries more than the opponent. Ours was like that. Upton Park. The home ground of West Ham United. My football home.

In England, you need to show people that you are living and breathing for football and their team, just like them. It takes time; it is not easy. I’ve met a lot of boys who were driven away by the die-hard fans – their tricks and fakes were not enough unless they did a slide tackle afterwards. Even big stars learned this. However, if you are willing to fight, to battle, they will never forget it.

Even today when I visit West Ham, all of the fans start a welcome chant.

My name is Ludo Miklosko

I come from near Moscow,

I play in goal for West Ham,

West Ham!

When I walk down the street,

Everybody I meet says,

Oi big boy, 

What’s your name,

My name is Ludo Miklosko

I come from near Moscow,

I play in goal for West Ham,

West Ham!

In England, football is passed on from generation to generation. You are born with one club, and you die with the same one. I sometimes meet grandfathers with their grandkids. They ask me for an autograph, and the grandfather tells the kid about my career. About my era. It’s nice, I’m not going to deny it.

Thanks to this, I believe that I achieved at least part of what I wanted to achieve. It was what I wanted as a player from the Eastern Bloc. For my countrymen. I’ve never felt like I’m doing it just for myself. I wanted to open the door to England.