“Our mandate was to ensure that, as reigning champions, Lille had another great domestic season, while qualifying for Europe again, too,” contends Joe, who became a firm fans’ favourite during a 2011/12 campaign that saw Garcia’s garcons finish in third-spot behind champions Montpellier and Paris Saint-Germain. “Although France won the FIFA 1998 World Cup and the UEFA European Championship in 2000, most of their squad played in Italy, Spain and England.
“In British eyes, there always seemed to be a slightly disparaging view of Ligue 1, but I immediately saw how unfair that was because France certainly stood up there with La Liga, Serie A, the Bundesliga and the Premier League.
“The French are very tactical and there’s a real physicality about their game, too. Every match is tough and it’s no fun finding yourself at somewhere like Toulouse getting kicked up in the air. A kid at Rennes once did me with a challenge so painful that I’ve got it down in the top five worst tackles of my entire career. I tell everyone: ‘Just ask Lionel Messi how difficult it is to play in France!’.
“Rudi was a fantastic man-manager, too. He appreciated that I had a wife – Carly – and a baby daughter – Ruby – to consider, too. Situated in northern France, Lille’s closer to London than Liverpool – I could’ve got on the Eurostar from St Pancras for about £130 and been there in 80 minutes.
“But I wanted to do things properly and live in the city rather than try to keep commuting between England and France. We were also expecting our second baby – Harry – so Carly rented a flat in Marylebone and I got a place as close as possible to Lille station.
“Rudi actively encouraged me to pop home to see the family whenever possible, so I enjoyed the culture of France while knowing that home was just a train ride away.
“While I’d done French at school, just like every kid in my classroom, I’d hardly listened and just about learnt the words for what was in my pencil case. As a kid, I never thought I’d need to speak the language but that all changed and, having now grasped the basics down the years, I’d love to kick on and become bilingual.
“I’ll always love London because it’s filled with my people, but there were so many similarities with Lille, all the way from the supporters, the club’s move to a new stadium and even the weather.
“During my two spells at West Ham and seven years at Chelsea, I left an imprint because I was at both clubs for a long time, but despite only spending that one season at Lille, I developed a brilliant relationship with the fans.
“When I went back there last year to watch their game against Lyon, I got a fantastic reception from the crowd, who treated our entire family like royalty.
“LOSC Lille really remind me of West Ham United - the fans are very knowledgeable, they’re so passionate about their team and love anyone who puts in the hard yards for the cause. Because they’re just across the Channel, I always class them as one of my London clubs!”