Waite relishes chance (From The Northern Echo)

Waite relishes chance

9:46am Monday 8th February 2010 in

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HAVING spent so long waiting for his chance in the Football League, Gareth Waite is no mood to hang about as he goes about establishing himself in the heart of Darlington’s midfield.

After joining in January from Spennymoor Town, Waite has wasted little time in impressing at The Northern Echo Arena and on Saturday scored his first goal for the club in a man of the match display.

He grabbed the second from close-range in a 2-0 win over Rotherham yet just a few months ago he was combining playing part-time in the Northern League with working as a plasterer.

The Thornaby-based 23- year-old revealed how he was made redundant before Christmas, and that he was rejected by Quakers last season.

But life is now much better for the energetic midfielder who said: “I’ve always wanted to be a professional footballer so this is my chance.

“I used to be a selfemployed dry-liner, working on building sites plastering ceilings and walls. Work dried up because of the recession so I went labouring at ICI Wilton, working for my dad in there, but then this came up.

“I got laid off three weeks before Christmas so I wasn’t working at all when Darlington offered me a chance. I knew there were clubs watching me at Spennymoor so I just stuck at it and once I was asked to go on trial with Darlington I was delighted.

“I was here on trial last season but the manager, Dave Penney, didn’t want me. But the new gaffer here has given me a chance so I’m grateful.”

Waite’s second half strike on Saturday was his first since scoring for Spennymoor in November during a win over Shildon in front of 271 supporters.

Walking away from the Arena with a bottle of champagne under his arm demonstrated that he has adapted well to the step up.

He added: “In spells I thought I did well but I think I’ve done well in most of the games. Because I got a goal it might make people think you’ve done a little bit better.

“The gaffer seems to be happy but I’m just trying to stay level-headed. I’ve only played four games.

“I think the training everyday has helped quite a lot. Once I got in the team I wanted to impress and make sure I kept my place.

“I’m glad it’s worked out but I’ve got to stick at it and hopefully we’ll get three points on Tuesday.’’