Back when Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 fans in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “there’s more to come from this youngster.”
That statement turned out to be something of an understatement.
Now aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his first summons to the senior England squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a true blast from the past, a story rarely seen in the modern era.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“In my mind, there was no chance of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the top division and playing for England as well,” the player stated in a recent interview.
“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed drastically for me and my family.”
So in what way did Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up at this level?
Learning in non-league
His football journey has been far from a typical one.
He spent four and a half years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to fly from his island home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and feature for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they released him. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he was on the Cherries’ books for a while, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he chose to remain on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling weekly was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at home with my mates at the weekend because I missed nearly several years of that experience. To have that slice of youth again was a thing I definitely required.
“Building some self-belief by coming back and taking part in island football was huge for me. That proved to be probably the most crucial things that led me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, Scott made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he was introduced as a 57th-minute replacement in their league fixture at the opposition.
“I had trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” manager Tony Vance stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the way he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Second-tier club Bristol City – chaired by islander their owner – had been monitoring his early progress after an promising start in adult football and gave him a try-out in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” recalled the player. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the next day I trained with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“Midweek I featured for his local side in London, travelled back and by Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
In just a year and a half, still well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against the Hatters.
He went on to make eighty-three league outings for the club while in his teens, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – demonstrating his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
With his skill to drive the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was selected in the division’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I believe he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he’ll go on to the top of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s manager at the club, remarked last year.
Less than three months after, he joined the Cherries for a understood fee of £25m.
Getting his big move
Scott endured a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until October to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself in and out of the starting XI.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly four months.
“There was quite a good run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said he.
“That felt like almost another obstacle and it was shaping up as a pretty bad year for the first half.”
But he was then called up by England for the U21 Euros – and managed to get himself fit in time.
He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the competition in Slovakia, developing a formidable partnership in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the senior side under the national coach.
And he has begun this season just as strongly for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to help them to the top five in the table.
“To play for the England senior team would be one of the proudest moments of my life,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I must continue developing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and hopefully I catch the eye of the national coach and earn an opportunity.”
