When Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 fans in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That prediction proved to be a bit of an understatement.
Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his first summons to the full Three Lions squad.
His ascent from eighth-tier talent to possible international star is a true throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, let alone featuring in the Premier League and playing for England as well,” Scott said previously.
“It has been a incredible five or six years of my life, and circumstances have transformed completely for me and my family.”
But how did Scott, known fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?
Learning in the lower tiers
His path in football has not been a typical one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s youth system from the age of eight, leaving school early every Friday to fly from his home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could train and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before he turned 13, though, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an opportunity and he remained with them for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his heart wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he opted to stay on Guernsey and turn out for his local team.
“I wasn’t playing very well and traveling every week was starting to feel overwhelming,” he explained.
“I just wanted to relax at my home with my mates at the weekend because I missed almost four and a half years of that experience. To have that slice of youth again was something I definitely needed.
“To gain some confidence by returning and playing island football was massive for me. It was probably the most crucial factors that led me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, the teenager made history as the most youthful appearance-maker in the club’s records when he was introduced as a second-half replacement in their league fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I had sleepless nights because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the team because he’s that good,” manager the coach stated back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the manner he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Making a comeback to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – owned by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring Scott’s early progress after an promising start in adult football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” said the player. “The first day I trained with the youth team, the next day I was with the first team, which was a complete surprise.
“On the Wednesday I played for Guernsey FC in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for the youth team and scored a three goals. From that point a certainty for me to sign a contract.”
Within 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut against the Hatters.
He made 83 league appearances for the Robins while in his teens, frequently being used as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a attacking midfielder – such was his versatility and flexibility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
With his skill to carry the ball forward, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he picked up the nickname ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a nod to City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s best young player honour, was chosen in the league’s best XI and was voted Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“No doubt, I believe he will represent England and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked last year.
Less than three months after, he signed for Bournemouth for a understood fee of £25m.
Securing his major transfer
Scott endured a difficult debut campaign with the club, waiting until October to earn his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the team.
His following season was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly several 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 almost another setback and it was shaping up as a pretty bad start for the first five months.”
But he was then selected by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to regain fitness in time.
He started five of the England U21s’ six games as they went on to win the tournament in the host nation, forming a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side with the national coach.
And he has begun the current campaign equally as impressively 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 occasions of my career,” Scott stated recently.
“The responsibility is mine, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, keep enjoying football, getting better every day, and with luck I impress the England manager and earn an opportunity.”
