Ramsgate new boy Jack Paxman has walked into a unique challenge - and it will take some getting used to.

Midfielder Paxman’s arrival from Eastbourne means the Rams have two players of the same name.

And it’s three Paxmans in total, with the original Jack Paxman’s twin brother, Alfie, also a Rams regular.

You can see why it might take time to get the communication in sync.

The debutant scored after two minutes at Lancing on Saturday but Isthmian South East leaders Ramsgate lost 4-2 - their first league defeat since the opening day of the season.

Joe Taylor restored the lead after Lancing’s equaliser but the hosts scored three times in 11 minutes during the second half.

“Have you ever heard of anything like it?” said new signing Paxman, 29.

“Two Jack Paxmans? It’s crazy. There’s his twin brother, Alfie, and my dad, God rest his soul, was called Steve, and their dad is called Steve. It’s mental.

“It was brought up before the game on Saturday, like how are we going to distinguish this, fellas?

“I didn’t say too much but age takes priority so I think they’ll be Alfie and Jack and I’m Pax.

“It’s so hard, though, isn’t it because if your natural instinct is to call someone a name you’ve already been calling them, to then change it, you’re questioning yourself.

“Even I was running round the pitch calling them ‘Pax’. I was mixing it up. I was like, ‘Jack’, ‘Alfie’, ‘Pax’ so it’ll take some getting used to but I’m sure we’ll find a way.”

Paxman has joined Ramsgate after deciding to step back from full-time football at National League South club Eastbourne.

Three-hour journeys from his home in Colchester were taking their toll on the former Maidstone and Ebbsfleet man, who started his career at Southend.

Rams midfielder Lee Martin - Paxman’s former captain at Ebbsfleet - put the feelers out and a deal was done.

It looks a great fit, with Paxman joining an ambitious side whose passing game suits him down to the ground.

His debut showed Isthmian South East football is no walk in the park but he knows what he can do.

Paxman said: “It’s a tricky one because I know they’ve been doing so well and then I come in and we lose the first game.

“But from what I hear it was a one-off performance, and Lancing played really well.

“I’ve just come from playing Worthing in National League South a couple of weeks ago and it was like playing them again.

“They were so similar in the way they play, so well-drilled, and it’s testament to the level.

“It was a pleasant surprise, obviously not the result, but to see a team so well-organised and well-drilled, it was like, ‘OK, we’re still at a decent level of football here’. You want to be tested.

“My goal return has always been something I’ve wanted to improve and when I scored after two minutes I’m thinking, ‘Here we go, at the ripe old age of 29, I’ve found my goalscoring boots’.

“It was nice to get on the scoresheet early doors.

“When you’ve dropped down a couple of leagues, it’s almost pressure you put on yourself to be this and be that.

“That doesn’t stop, no matter what age you are.

“The goal settled me down a bit but there’s loads I can improve on and I know I will.

“I look forward to getting in the groove and finding my rhythm with the boys.

“After a few games and training sessions, it should be the perfect fit.

“It’s a part-time team who are still looking to push for promotions which is something I still want to do.

“Lee Martin was a massive influence because we’re so close off the pitch but he also gets the best out of me on it.”

Ramsgate host East Grinstead tomorrow (7.45pm) and Burgess Hill on Saturday (3pm), followed by a Kent derby at Ashford on Tuesday (7.45pm).