Former West Ham star backs Millwall fans to be respectful after death of cult hero Ludek Miklosko

Legendary goalkeeper Miklosko made more than 300 appearances for West Ham in the 1990s but sadly lost his battle against cancer earlier this week.

West Ham face a tricky trip to The Den this weekend to face Millwall in what is one of football’s fiercest rivalries. But Jarvis believes home fans will be respectful ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Jarvis told sports betting odds comparison site OddsTrader: “I think some things are bigger than football. We all know what Millwall v West Ham means.

“It’s a massive, massive rivalry. But when it comes to something like this [the passing of Ludek Miklosko] I think there will be mutual respect before the game begins from both sets of fans.

“Then it’s back to doing whatever it takes for each team to win. But in the case of supporters, both sets have a mutual respect away from football already.”

Both sets of fans have previously set aside their differences for bigger issues than football, with Millwall fans going above and beyond to raise money for a young West Ham fan who died from a rare form of cancer.

And Jarvis is confident this weekend’s clash will follow suit despite previous troubles.

“As I say, some things are just bigger than what’s happening on the pitch. Fans can put their rivalries aside for a greater good to be respectful while still building up that atmosphere and trying to get the better of each other.

“People are building this game up and I think it’s because it's been a long time since this game's actually happened. But there might also be an element of building it up to an extent that’s not there. 

“It will be intense. At times it will be horrible. But I don’t think it will cross the line in terms of what is happening off the pitch this week."