Clarke Oduor: Harambee Stars prospect who saved English side from relegation

On 22 July, Clarke Oduor scored a late winner for English Championship side Barnsley as the team edged Brentford 2-1. The goal was special as it ensured Barnsley survived relegation and thrust the 21-year-old into the limelight.

Oduor says the goal will forever remain etched in his memory.

“It was incredible to score my first professional goal. To add to the fact that it was the goal that would keep us up just made it better. I will cherish that moment for life,”  he tells Nation Sport.  

However, Oduor’s journey to the professional ranks had started earlier as he was scouted to join the Leeds United Academy when he was just 10, his father Charles Oduor, a former teacher based in Yala, explains.

“Clarke was born in Siaya but we moved to the UK in 2000. I went to pursue postgraduate studies and settled here. I am now a civil servant,” the father reveals to Nation Sport.

“He showed interest in football at a very young and tender age, he started kicking stuff just when he’d started walking in what could be equivalent to mimicking football.

“He is multi-talented when it comes to sports. He is a good athlete and plays table tennis too. Football has always been at the top of his list and I realised he had a special talent when he started playing for his school team and his local club,” he adds.

Oduor’s professional career started at recently-promoted English Premier League (EPL) side Leeds United after he was scouted while playing for local non-league side Shadwell United.

“He played for Shadwell United and it’s during one of the many tournaments that he was scouted by Leeds United for the under 11’s.  He was 10 at the time,”  the senior Oduor said.

“I am very proud and happy to see him doing what he loves every day. I always tell him that it is down to the hard work and discipline that he puts in. I would like to see him carry on playing with a passion, enjoying his football and being happy with wherever football takes him.”

Oduor, who joined Barnsley mid last year after spending over a decade at Leeds United, says he is just getting started in his professional football life and is hopeful of scaling the heights.

“I enjoyed my time through the Leeds United Academy and they helped me to develop my game as a footballer. I will forever remain indebted to them. I’d describe the season gone by as a stepping stone. I enjoyed my first year of playing first-team football. I managed to get a few games in the last season and I’d like to build on that and play more regularly in the season to come,” he says.

“From when I was young, I have always loved football and it gives me a feeling like nothing else does. I have always wanted to be a professional footballer and play at the highest level possible. Hopefully, in the next five years, I will be playing on the biggest stage.”

Oduor has been used on the left-wing by Barnsley but he says he is most comfortable in the attacking midfield position.

“I am naturally an attacking midfielder that is where I like to play. I feel it’s my best position. I have also played left-back, left-wing and right-wing though I feel more comfortable and natural as an attacking midfielder,” he says.

Several media outlets reported in July that Oduor had turned down an invite to represent the Kenyan national team, Harambee Stars, but he denies this. “I think things must have been misinterpreted because I did not snub a call up from the national team. This has since been cleared up by my agent. If the opportunity comes and the timing is good, then yes, it is always a sense of pride to play for the national team,” Oduor says.

His father too would love to see his son play for the country of his birth.
“It is always an honour to play for the national team, and if the call up comes, as parents, we will be proud of that honour and I believe Clarke will equally be up for it. Let’s see what happens in the near future,” he tells Nation Sport.

The player follows Kenyan football, testament enough that he has not forgotten his roots. “I know a number of teams, Mathare United, Gor Mahia, Tusker FC and AFC Leopards amongst others. I also watched the African Cup of Nations of 2019 and thought Kenya did fairly okay, but it could have been better. I watched their game against Senegal and thought that they played well in comparison to a team that has been playing in the Afcon tournament regularly,”  he says.

“I have read a bit about Erick Ouma and Francis Kahata among other players. For Ouma to be nicknamed ‘Marcelo’ tells you a lot about him. It would be a pleasure to play with him.”

Clarke might have left Kenya as a very young boy but he has not lost the connection. “I remember the plot where we used to live and how I scratched my face on the wall while playing football. Kenya is a beautiful country, full of football enthusiasts and blessed with a wonderful landscape,” Oduor says.
 “I enjoy chapatis and fish. However,  I am not discriminative when it comes to food. I can do with what is available.”

Oduor appreciates the people who have played a big role in his progress. “I have had coaches and teammates in the past who have played roles in my development but most importantly, I’d say my entire family and especially my elder brother Clinton Oduor, who runs his programme as a strength and conditioning coach, and has been beside me and helped me along the way.”

Barcelona legends Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta have influenced Oduor’s style of play. “They are my favourite players. It is always a joy to watch them play and the way they manipulate the ball is just amazing,” he says.
Oduor notes it’s not easy to make it to the top in professional football and advises young players in Kenya wishing to play in Europe to be  disciplined and focused from the  start.

“I was completely focused.When it came to school, I gave it my absolute best. When it came to football, I also did the same. There is a need to draw a fine balance and work to develop yourself holistically,” he says.

“My advice to the young people is for them to enjoy playing the  game, keep the focus, have dedication and discipline. I believe those are the most important things.”

Oduor’s father is very proud of his son’s progress and is eager to see him do better. “He is a dedicated and focused individual who will give his absolute best to achieve a set goal. He enjoys what he does. He’s got a prolific left foot, he is quite a versatile player and in my opinion, he plays with a lot of intelligence and above all, he is always willing to learn. He is headed to the top if he maintains all that,” the father says.

For Oduor, it’s not all football and nothing else. He likes to relax and have a good time when his schedule allows.

“I’d say I am quite a relaxed person who likes to enjoy life. When I am not playing football, I like relaxing with my friends and family.”  he says.

For now,  Oduor is on pre-season with Barnsley in London and hopes to guide the team to, hopefully,  be promoted to the English Premier League next season.

Clarke Oduor bio

Full name: Clarke Sidney Omondi Oduor

Date of Birth: 25 June 1999

Place of Birth: Yala, Siaya

Position: Leftback, also plays as a left winger and Central Attacking Midfielder

2019/20 statistics:-

Minutes played:    945

Games played:     16

Straights starts:     12

Subs:     4

Goals:     1

Education:

Hillcrest Primary School: St Patrick Primary School (Leeds), Mount Saint Mary’s High School (Leeds), Boston Spa Academy, Leeds (A-Level)
Clarke intends to pursue a part time degree in sports sciences at Salford University.

Clarke has other young siblings, Clarence Oduor and Clive Oduor who are also budding footballers and elder brother Clinton who runs strength and conditioning sessions and an older sister, Idah Oduor.