When Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager back then predicted, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That prediction turned out to be something of an understatement.
Today 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has just received his first call-up to the senior Three Lions team.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible England player is a true throwback, a story seldom seen in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“In my mind, there was no chance of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and representing England as well,” Scott said previously.
“It has been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for me and my family.”
But how did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?
Learning in non-league
His football journey has been far from a typical one.
He was part of over four years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his home on the Channel Island to the mainland so he could train and play for the club’s academy sides.
Before his 13th birthday, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer him an option and he was on the Cherries’ books for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Rather, he chose to remain on the island and play for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and flying over weekly was starting to feel a bit too much,” he explained.
“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. To have that little bit of childhood again was something I really required.
“Building a bit of self-belief by coming back and taking part in local football was massive for me. It was probably one of the most important factors that led me to this point.”
At the age of 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he came on as a second-half replacement in their league match at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” manager the coach stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the way he carries the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Second-tier club the Robins – owned by islander their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an promising start in adult football and arranged a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said Scott. “Day one I trained with the youth team, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
In just a year and a half, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against Luton.
He made 83 league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, often being deployed as a wing-back – and occasionally in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and flexibility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his skill to drive the ball up the pitch, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and national team playmaker Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 season he claimed the second tier’s best young player honour, was chosen in the division’s best XI and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I believe he will represent England and I’m sure he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the sport,” Nigel Pearson, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.
Within 90 days after, he joined Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his major transfer
Scott endured a difficult debut campaign with the club, waiting until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself in and out of the team.
His following season was just as disrupted, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost four months.
“There was a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was yet another setback and it was shaping up as a pretty bad start for the first half.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a strong understanding in the middle with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has begun this season equally as strongly for Bournemouth, featuring in every game to help them to the top five in the table.
“Representing the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying the game, getting better every day, and hopefully I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
