Ludek Miklosko-former West Ham goalkeeper dies at 64 and goalkeepers.

 Ludek Miklosko - former West Ham goalkeeper dies at 64.

It still came as a shock to hear that one of West Ham's most beloved and greatest goalkeepers died this morning at the age of 64. Ludek Miklosko was indeed that man. Goalkeepers, rather amusingly and facetiously, are often referred to as mad, crazy, eccentric. at times often idiosyncratic and, at others, simply flamboyant. But they are essentially the glue that holds together teams, the courageous heroes who put their lives on the line just to keep their team in the hunt for promotion or the man responsible for leading their teams to the Premier League title. 

Goalkeepers hold down the most unenviable of all positions on the pitch because they're the ones with the key to the lock, the safe and capable hands who catch the ball cleanly from teasing crosses from the by line or wing. But then there are the endearing characters such as former Spurs keeper Pat Jennings who had shovels for hands, a man so secure and unflappable that had nuclear war broken out, Jennings would still be there, a model of re-assurance, always reliable, never flustered and just infallible, a giant of certainty.

During the 1980s and 90s, Ludek Miklosko was one of the most respected and calming influences at the heart of West Ham's often sloppy and clumsy back line. Miklosko had it all worked out as a goalkeeper. His positional sense was, of course impeccable, the reflexes as sharp as a blade and his air of  business like authority could spread an almost quiet composure. In many ways you could both see hear and see Miklosko because he was that versatile. 

But thoughts of Miklosko and goalkeepers in general prompted memories of previous goalkeepers at West Ham United. When West Ham were promoted back to the top flight Premiership just over 30 years ago, the Czech keeper was at his most formidable and invincible, almost carrying the team at the time. But West Ham were promoted that season and have since experienced the fluctuating fortunes that have become almost customary at the club.

During the early 1970s, West Ham manager Ron Greenwood confidently predicted that Mervyn Day would become England's regular goalkeeper for the foreseeable future. What Greenwood probably failed to realise was that Day was young, immensely talented of course but human, flawed,  accident prone and prone to frequent errors. Day did rise to the occasion and became one of the youngest goalkeepers to appear in an FA Cup Final when West Ham beat Fulham in a London derby in 1975.

Back in the 1950s Ernie Gregory, who would later become one of the most influential figures on West Ham's coaching staff, provided wit, wisdom, humour and immense knowledge. But Gregory was an outstanding goalkeeper. Gregory was athletic, flexible, wearing the thickest gloves in civilisation, a thick top to keep him warm and was rarely caught out and beaten. He was an integral part of West Ham's promotion winning team back to the old First Division in 1958.

Then going back to the late 1960s and 70s, Scottish goalkeeper Bobby Ferguson took up frequent occupation in West Ham's goal. Ferguson was reliability itself,  fearless, cool, nerveless and imperturbable. Ferguson was, crucially, injured in the 1972 League Cup semi final against Stoke City, a match that seemed to go on for ever. In goal to replace Ferguson was the immaculate Bobby Moore but even Moore couldn't really follow that act. 

It was towards the end of the 1970s that West Ham really did push the boat out. With Mervyn Day just a distant historical footnote, Peter Grotier, an equally as able and soothing influence as a keeper, West Ham were looking for a goalkeeper who could give them a firm footing, stability and just solid protection. The man they were looking for could be found across West London at Queens Park Rangers. 

Phil Parkes was a tall, broad shouldered, moustachioed figure. Parkes had hands, rather like Pat Jennings that would hold the ball to his stomach and never let it go. Parkes made his West Ham debut at a very vocal and supportive Upton Park against Oldham in the old Second Division. But this was no ordinary debut because Parkes had just become the most expensive goalkeeper at the time. He signed for West Ham for, at the time, an astronomical £565,000 which is almost chicken feed by modern day standards. 

As Parkes emerged from the Upton Park tunnel, you could vividly spot what looked like a bathroom towel plus Parkes precious green gloves. He would jog towards the South Bank amid thunderous applause, clap the supporters before hanging the said towel over the back of the net. Football was full of oddities and quirks at the time so this wasn't entirely unexpected. Briefly, Parkes old team QPR introduced Astro Turf to English football and we know what happened next. Natural grass made a memorable comeback. 

More recently, West Ham have boasted Shaka Hislop and Rob Green, powerful looking and compact in goal but sometimes exposed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hislop was brilliantly consistent but could only gasp in amazement as Steven Gerrard sent an unstoppable rocket of a shot high into the net, equalising for Liverpool in the final seconds of the 2006 FA Cup Final. West Ham would lose this Final on penalties and once again the club were denied of silverware although the best would come to pass three years ago when West Ham held aloft the UEFA Conference Final trophy against Fiorentina.

And so we pay warm homage to goalkeepers. Former goalkeeper Peter Bonetti was affectionately referred to as 'The Cat' and that seemed highly appropriate. Bonetti's feline reflexes and reactions served England quite admirably. But he'll always be remembered for the butter fingers which allowed a shot from West Germany to squirm under his body and into the net. West Germany knocked out England in the quarter final in the 1970 World Cup. 

Back in the 1970s the late and  much missed Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton fought out an amiable, good natured rivalry for the position of permanent England goalkeeper. As a child, Shilton would stretch his arms and legs on his parents staircases, on some occasions, grabbing hold of the walls and just swinging loosely from a great height. Shilton would play for both Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Leyton Orient with peerless distinction, becoming the most capped goalkeeper of his time.

Meanwhile Ray Clemence served his apprenticeship at Scunthorpe. Clemence spent the whole of one summer before joining Liverpool as a seaside deckchair attendant. But then with  cap on his head on late autumnal afternoons at Anfield, Clemence would fly kick his goal-kicks with some velocity and just stop everything that was thrown at him. Clemence though was exposed as a figure of ridicule when he allowed the ball to trickle under him for a Scotland goal at Hampden Park in a Home International match.

And so we return to the sad passing of Ludek Miklosko this morning. West Ham have always been a family club with strong emotional connections to the East End docklands. Miklosko became a legendary figure at Upton Park because he genuinely felt an affinity with the club's traditional values. His death this morning will be mourned respectfully because we know how the role of the goalkeeper has now become so thankless and daunting. Ludek will always be in the hearts of thousands of West Ham supporters. Of that you can be sure.