Harry Waldock’s determined to make his mark at Gillingham after a whirlwind few days that have seen the teenager thrown into the first-team spotlight.
The 19-year-old midfielder has gone from a loan spell at Isthmian Premier side Cray Wanderers to making his league debut at Cambridge United last Saturday, and then his first home league appearance at Priestfield in the space of just a few days.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, really,” he said, following the 2-0 defeat against Swindon.
“I was with Cray, played my last game about three weeks ago, was in and around training [at Gillingham]. I ended up getting recalled, and they put me straight into the team on Saturday. I appreciate the Gaffer [Gareth Ainsworth] doing that for me and giving me the opportunity.
“My aim now is just to try and stay in the team and keep my standards to the highest of their ability.”
Waldock, from Herne Bay, joined the Gills at the age of 11 and has worked his way through the ranks to earn his opportunity.
His big moment came when he was told he would make his full league debut away at Cambridge – news delivered by the manager hours before the game at the team hotel.
“The Gaffer took me to the side and said, ‘I’m going to give you your full league debut’,” he said.
“He gave me all the confidence I needed to go into the game and express myself. I really appreciate the opportunity.”
It proved to be a tough introduction in a heavy defeat, but Waldock’s performance was a highlight on a bad day for the club.
“Obviously the result was very disappointing,” said the teenager
“We didn’t play well as a team, but in my mind, I’m just trying to perform to the best of my abilities and try and help the team go forwards.
“The result wasn’t the best, but I just try and leave the result aside and not let it affect me and just carry on.”
A loan spell at Cray Wanderers played a huge role in preparing him for senior football.
“I think going out on loan has really helped me because I was able to build my confidence up,” he said.
“They helped me so much there. I think they’re a big reason why I’ve been able to come into the team and settle in a lot because they gave me the minutes, they gave me all the confidence I needed.”
Waldock admits the step up to League Two football has been a challenge, but one he is embracing.
He said: “You’ve got to adapt to the game because it’s a lot different, but at the same time, it’s two goals, it’s a pitch – just do what you’ve been doing for the last 10 years.
“It’s a big jump, yeah. It’s just the intensity. You’ve obviously got the crowds, you’ve got people shouting… it’s just a whole different game.”
The youngster has also benefited from the support of senior professionals in the squad.
He said: “[Bradley Dack] came up to me before the game on Saturday, gave me so much advice because he’s done this, exactly what I’ve done.
“Then you’ve got the other senior players like Vokesy, GMac, Jonny Williams, and they will just give you that advice and they just really help me settle into the team quicker than what I expected.”
With injuries opening the door, Waldock is determined to take his chance.
“I don’t feel like there’s too much pressure on me,” he said.
“Obviously, it’s not the circumstances you want where other teammates are injured, but you’ve got to come in grab that opportunity with both hands and just try and do the best I can.”
And after years of dreaming about playing at Priestfield, Waldock is now living it.
He said: “Even as a young boy, when I was a ball boy, you just sat around the pitch looking up and thinking, ‘That’s where I want to be in a couple of years’ and now it’s happened.”
Despite back-to-back defeats, Waldock is confident results will come if performances continue.
“We’re all disappointed with the result. Losing 2-0 isn’t what we think we deserve from the game,” he said.
“We created so many opportunities to score, and obviously they just took theirs.
“If we continue to play like that throughout the rest of the season, we’ll pick up results.”
