DANNY Waldron hopes to keep cashing in after swapping a career in finance for full-time football with Southend United.

Waldron opened his Blues account with a well-taken effort in Tuesday night’s 2-1 win at Maidenhead United.

And the 27-year-old, who joined from Rushall Olympic last month, is thrilled to be up and running with the Shrimpers.

“I’m very pleased,” said Waldron.

“I’m just glad I’ve got that first one now.”

"It’s massive and a big relief for me more than anything else.

“It was a shame it wasn’t in front of the fans at the other end of the pitch but it was still a good feeling and hopefully there’s more to come.”

Waldron’s goal secured victory for the Shrimpers.

But the forward is still adjusting to stepping up from part-time football.

“Slowly but surely I’m getting there,” said Waldron.

“It’s about adjusting to the intensity.

“I can feel myself getting sharper but I’m not fully there yet.

“It’s a lot different and that’s the biggest challenge for me at the moment, adjusting to full-time training.

“Training the day before the game and being fully firing for the match is tough.

“But once I’m used to it I’ll be a better player for it.”

Waldron is hoping the increased levels of training will enable him to build on his midweek winner at York Road.

And he also feels he will benefit from Blues’ busy fixture list.

“That will be better for me,” said Waldron.

“I’m more used to playing Saturday, Tuesday in the leagues below as I’ve been doing that for years.

“The intensity in training will drop on the Monday and Friday so I think it should help me.”

Waldron is now training full-time with the Shrimpers.

But he initially combined being at Blues with continuing his role in finance.

“I was training once or twice a week to start with and was driving from Birmingham,” said Waldron.

“I was taking the day off work to train and it was a lot of driving.

“The first couple of weeks I wasn’t fully settling in.

“It was about getting used to training and it was a lot to start with but I’m glad I’m here properly now.

“I’m at the hotel now and a few of the lads are there so I feel like I’ve settled in quite well.”

And Waldron remains determined to make the most of his opportunity at Roots Hall.

“Football has always been number one,” said the striker.

“It was always in the back of my mind when I started doing well a couple of years ago and I was never going to say no to it.

“Because of my age I didn’t know if it was going to happen but it was something I was always hopeful for.

“It never really went out the back of my mind.”

But Waldron was still carving out a career for himself elsewhere.

“I worked in finance as an IFA admin,” explained Waldron.

“I was looking to do my exams and become a financial advisor.

“It was a decent job but I’m loving it here now and I’m glad I’ve got that first goal and win.

“The support we get is something I’m not used to but it’s something you want as a player.

“I’m grateful I’ve come to a club where there are so many fans.”

Blues will again be roared on by a big crowd when they host fifth placed Aldershot Town on Saturday.

And Waldron is setting his sights on a run of good results.

“We just need to get on a run and get as points as we can now,” said Waldron.

“We’re expected to be higher up than we are but obviously there’s been the 10 point deduction.

“We can’t look into it too much and put pressure on but we know we need to get points.”