WEST HAM hero Ludek Miklosko has revealed he has battled cancer in recent years.
The former Hammers stopper discovered he was battling the deadly disease three years ago after finding a small lump on his hip.
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 Miklosko had left was chemotherapy, which doctors could not guarantee would be a success.
So the retired goalkeeper has made the heartbreaking decision not to undergo treatment to ensure he has the best quality in his final days.
Explaining his decision, he told West Ham's official website: “I was thinking about this and 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 to slow it down a bit, but it wouldn't stop it and there would be other issues to address.
“I decided not to take chemotherapy because I want to live a normal life.
“I have very good people around me, and I have my job and my football, that's my life, the only thing I've known. I want to keep doing that as long as I can.”
Miklosko was delayed from undergoing the grueling and debilitating chemotherapy when it was made clear to him that his entire life would be put on hold.
He said: “When they told me what the chemotherapy would mean, it was a matter of not being able to work or be with my colleagues for about six months, not being able to travel, being sick and everything else.
“And I said, 'No, I don't want that. There's no point. 'I want to live my life.'”
Miklosko will be at the Olympic Stadium tonight for the Hammers' match against Prem top Liverpool.
The club pays tribute to the former goalkeeper ten minutes before kick-off.
Miklosko is looking forward to returning to East London and says: “It will be very special for me.
“And of course the fans. After all these years, they still remember me, still sing my name, and that's an amazing 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 this and make this comparison.
“West Ham United is my second family. And I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday.”
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