Kenyan star at centre of Grimsby fine after shock win over Man Utd

Kenyan international Clarke Sydney Omondi Oduor has been thrust into the spotlight after his club, Grimsby Town, was fined Ksh 3.5million (£20,000) for fielding him as an ineligible player in their dramatic Carabao Cup win over Manchester United.

The English Football League (EFL) confirmed on Tuesday that Grimsby breached competition rules when they registered Oduor one minute past the deadline ahead of the Round Two tie on 27 August 2025.

Despite the error, Grimsby stunned United with a 12–11 penalty shootout victory at Blundell Park to reach Round Three.

According to the EFL, Oduor’s paperwork was submitted at 12:01 pm, narrowly missing the 12:00 pm cutoff. While the Mariners self-reported the breach, the oversight meant Oduor was technically ineligible to play.

“The circumstances leading to this transgression are that Grimsby Town submitted the registration of Clarke Oduor at 12:01 pm on the day before the fixture i.e. shortly after the 12:00 pm deadline required in accordance with the 2025/26 competition rules.

“The Club self-reported the breach upon discovery the day after the fixture had been completed.

“Following a comprehensive review of all the evidence and considering prior decisions taken in respect of offences in the League Cup, the Board determined that the issuing of a fine followed precedent,” EFL said in a statement.

Half of the fine — £10,000 — has been suspended until the end of the 2025/26 season, provided the club avoids any repeat offences.

The EFL Board stressed that the mistake was not deliberate, noting there was “no intention to deceive or mislead.” Grimsby has since taken steps to prevent a similar incident in the future.

“The Club will be liable for the suspended sum of £10,000, if they were to again field an ineligible player in any League Competition between now and the end of Season 2025/26.”

For Oduor, 26, the incident comes just days after sealing a loan move to Grimsby from Bradford City on 26 August 2025. The Nairobi-born midfielder and left-back has enjoyed a steady rise through English football.

Starting at Leeds United’s academy, he made his senior debut in 2019 before joining Barnsley, where he famously scored a last-minute goal to secure Championship survival in 2020.

After a loan spell at Hartlepool and a permanent switch to Bradford City, Oduor’s move to Grimsby was meant to offer him regular playing time. The ineligibility fine, however, briefly overshadowed his arrival.

On the international stage, Oduor committed to Kenya’s Harambee Stars, debuting in a 2–1 win over Zambia in October 2020. His versatility has made him a key prospect for the national team setup.

Despite the setback, Grimsby’s penalty triumph over Manchester United remains intact, and Oduor is expected to feature prominently in their League Two campaign as the club looks to move past the registration blunder.