Douglas man Jaze Kabia living the dream and enjoying life at Grimsby Town

It was the game that will go down in history — the night Grimsby Town claimed a famous victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup. 

After holding their Premier League opponents, the tie was decided by a dramatic penalty shoot-out. 

For United, it was a shocking display that left many questioning their resolve. 

But for Grimsby, it was the stuff of dreams — a win that will be remembered for decades, not just by those who were there, but by the wider community. 

For the players and fans alike, it was more than just a result; it was a landmark moment in the club’s story.

For Douglas man Jaze Kabia, it was a night that will forever hold a special place in his career. While he and his family were naturally disappointed he didn't start, he had a huge impact on the result. 

“The manager had me in the office on the Monday morning telling me I wouldn’t be starting. I had a hamstring worry and he felt it wasn’t worth chancing. 

"I was called with 17 minutes to go and with a 2-0 lead it felt brilliant to come on in front of an amazing crowd. 

"It was disappointing to see United come back to level the game in such a frantic end to a game but the drama hadn’t finished just yet." 

The penalty shoot-out went all the way to 23 penalties... 

"Because I was the first to take one, I got a chance to take a second also and what a feeling it was to score twice!

“Not playing from the start lowered the risk of injury and kept me on a good run in the league so in the end, everyone won in the situation.” 

Playing against United was exactly the kind of challenge every professional dreams of.

“Regardless of people’s opinions on United, their players are world-class. 

"It gave us all a good gauge of what it would be like to play at that level, which is where we want to be. 

"Personally, the chance to score twice against United — even from the penalty spot — was something I will carry with me forever. 

"Nobody can take that away from me. It was special."

What made the night even more memorable was sharing it with his family. With relatives travelling from both Ireland and England, the evening became about more than just football. 

It was about giving something back to those who had supported him from the very beginning.

“To have them there, in the stands, and to be able to share that kind of moment — that was really special. 

"The highlight of my night was hearing the final whistle after scoring my two penalties and celebrating with the people who mean most to me."

When he looks back, Jaze has just one word for the experience: special. And yet, he admits it didn’t come as a complete surprise. 

Inside the Grimsby camp, there had always been a quiet belief they could achieve something extraordinary.

“We had a really good feeling we could do it. So while it was amazing, it wasn’t shocking to us. It was a great night all around — for the team, the fans, and the town." 

Achievements like that don’t go unnoticed. It’s earned us a lot more respect from other teams.

“That makes every game a little tougher, but it’s the kind of challenge you want as a player.” 

Away from the spotlight, life for Jaze has settled in Grimsby.

“It’s not much different to Truro, really. Both are by the seaside, both are good working-class towns. 

"The transition has been easy, and I’ve enjoyed life here on and off the pitch.

"A big part of that comfort has come from the squad around me. It’s an easy group to fit in with — a lot of good characters. 

"Very competitive, too. In every position, the man behind you is just as good as the man in front. It keeps you on your toes and drives you to be better every day. 

"With my partner now settled into a new home alongside me, the sense of stability is clear. Spare time is filled with walking the dog, golfing with teammates, or simply relaxing in front of the television."

He's keeping his goals realistic but ambitious.

“It’s about establishing myself in the EFL in my debut season. I want to score as many goals as I can and hopefully achieve something special with this team. 

"Trips back to Ireland are rare with such a demanding schedule, though I managed ten days in the summer. He hopes for another visit in the new year.

"For now, my focus remains firmly on Grimsby Town and the season ahead. The memories of that famous night against Manchester United will continue to inspire me, but the true challenge lies in what comes next. 

"For me, it’s about building on that historic moment, proving myself week after week, and helping my team push towards new milestones."

Victories like the one at Blundell Park against United are unforgettable but the real measure of a player’s career is consistency.