'The best place to do your job'

After arriving in England from French club Paris Saint-Germain in 1995, David Ginola spent seven years playing in this country at four different clubs.

Time at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Everton not only made the England 2018 Bid ambassador a favourite with teammates and the media - he won both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the Football Writers' Player of the Year in 1999 - but he also became an 'honorary Englishman' and a fans' favourite for home and away supporters alike.

As the countdown to FIFA's decision on who will host the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups approaches, Ginola spoke to TheFA.com about how much he enjoyed playing football in England.

You had a number of happy years playing in England, why was it such a good place to play football?
It’s all about passion, on and off the pitch. When I arrived in England I didn’t expect it. I started in Newcastle in the north-east and there the people are so much in love with Newcastle United and football. It was just amazing.

When I played for Paris St Germain it was also great and we had fantastic fans, but there was something special about England that attracted me and I said to myself ‘this is the place to play football’. As a footballer it’s probably one of the best places in the world to do your job.

You were an entertainer on the pitch, people loved seeing you play and as such you almost became an adopted Englishman.
I am an adopted Englishman! Everywhere I’ve been with the different teams I’ve played for in England, the away games were just great. You realised that you’re not just liked in your own town, but by other fans too. Playing for Spurs it wasn’t just the Tottenham supporters who were good to me, but all around the place.

So you felt that even the opposition fans responded to you efforts?
Fans need to be entertained. When you play well in an away game and afterwards the home fans are cheering and clapping you it is amazing. It’s the best compliment you can receive – after your own manager and chairman of course!

You played for Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton, so who was the best English player you played with?
It was always a team effort in my eyes. I’ve had the chance to play with great players like Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and Peter Beardsley, but I wouldn’t want to disrespect any of my teammates.

When I was playing every one of them was very important. We play a team game and I couldn’t single out one or two players, when you play over the course of a season and do well, it’s because the whole team has played well.

This interview comes from the England v France official matchday programme from last week's international at Wembley. Click here to buy online or subscribe.