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.''
Source: Northern Echo
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