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Jack Paxman says his relationship with Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb is a match made in heaven.
Paxman flourished under Kutrieb in his debut season at Stonebridge Road, winning the player of the year award.
The campaign was curtailed by Covid but the Fleet midfielder, boosted by the faith placed in him by his German manager, caught the eye.
Paxman said: “It was always going to take time coming from a different country but he’s got a clear plan and a clear idea of how he wants to do things and that always makes it a little easier.
“For me personally, he was probably the reason I had such a good season last year.
“He believed in me and let me do what I do, which is all I’ve ever asked from a manager, so he deserves a lot of credit.
“He sees football in a way I’ve always liked to play.
“He likes technical players who are confident enough to pass the ball and get on the ball in tight areas.
“We’re a match made in heaven. He plays the way I want to play and I’m thankful to be able to do that.”
Paxman had been, surprisingly, short on options when leaving Billericay after the 2019/20 season.
His good pal, former Maidstone team-mate Bobby-Joe Taylor, got him in the door on trial and the rest is history.
“It’s been like a breath of fresh air here after the Billericay situation - I’m really enjoying it,” said Paxman.
“I didn’t have loads of options after Billericay and because Bob had just signed here, he got me in the door on trial.
“I know I had a big affiliation with Maidstone but I couldn’t think about that.
“It was a strange one after Billericay but I never doubted myself.
“I know what I’m capable of, the same as when I left Maidstone.
“It was never my choice, the way things ended there, I felt I had more to offer.
“Billericay didn’t work out the way I wanted it to but I still knew what I was capable of, especially at this level.
“I just had to get in the door somewhere and find a manger who believed in me, which is what I’ve got with Dennis.”
Fleet have strengthened over the summer and are expected to be among the promotion challengers in National League South.
They start the season at home to Tonbridge a week on Saturday.
“It’s a really tough league,” said Paxman. “A lot of clubs have done good business but we’ve made decent signings and we had a good core left over from last year.
“We’ve all got high aspirations for the season but I’m not going to put a label on anything.”
There’s the added bonus - particularly for a player like Paxman - of having supporters back this season.
He added: “We missed the fans so much last year. Even in pre-season, just having them there has made such a difference.”
Fleet lost 4-1 at home to a classy Arsenal under-23 side last weekend, a match Paxman missed.
They won 2-1 at Isthmian League new boys Corinthian on Tuesday thanks to Elliott Romain and Greg Cundle.
Fleet have confirmed goalkeeper Jordan Holmes’ departure.
The Australian, who made 40 appearances after joining from Bournemouth in 2019, is leaving to work overseas.
He will, however, be at Saturday’s home friendly against Southend to say goodbye to supporters.
Former Fleet boss Eddie Presland has died aged 78, the club have announced.
Presland managed Fleet between 1985 and 1987 after a playing career that started at West Ham and took in Crystal Palace.
