Back when the young midfielder made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach back then assured, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
That statement proved to be something of an understatement.
Now aged 22 and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his maiden call-up to the full England squad.
His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible England player is a proper blast from the past, a story seldom seen in the modern era.
What’s next? A major tournament?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a pro footballer, let alone playing in the top division and playing for the national team as well,” Scott said previously.
“It’s been a crazy five or six years of my life, and circumstances have changed drastically for me and my loved ones.”
So in what way did Alex Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself here?
Developing in the lower tiers
Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.
He spent over four years in Southampton’s academy setup starting at eight, skipping school every Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Before his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries were willing to offer Scott an option and he remained with them for a time, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.
Rather, he chose to stay on Guernsey and play for his hometown club.
“My form had dipped and traveling every week was becoming a bit too much,” he explained.
“I just wanted to chill at my home with my mates at weekends because I had missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. To have that slice of youth again was something I definitely required.
“To gain a bit of confidence by coming back and playing local football was massive for me. That proved to be perhaps the most crucial things that led me to this point.”
At the age of 16, Scott made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half substitute in their Isthmian League fixture at Phoenix Sports.
“I’ve been having sleepless nights because I was figuring out how I could get him in the side because he’s that good,” manager the coach commented back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his possession of the ball is exceptional, the way he carries the ball, he’s a class act.”
Returning to the professional game
Second-tier club Bristol City – owned by Guernsey resident their owner – had been tracking his development after an promising beginning in men’s football and arranged a trial in December 2019.
“The whole experience was hectic,” said the player. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the next day I was with the senior squad, which was a complete surprise.
“Midweek I played for Guernsey FC in London, returned home and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and netted a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
Within 18 months, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his senior debut versus Luton.
Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the Robins while still a teenager, often being used as a wing-back – and sometimes in attack as a number 10 – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and playing out of position he was the standout performer.
With his ability to drive the ball forward, and with his socks down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 season he claimed the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the division’s best XI and was named Bristol City’s top player and top youngster.
“Without question, I believe he will represent his country and I think he’ll go on to the pinnacle of the game,” his former manager, the player’s boss at the club, stated last year.
Less than 90 days after, he joined Bournemouth for a reported transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Securing his big move
Scott endured a challenging first season with the Cherries, having to wait until October to earn his Premier League debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then being inconsistent of the starting XI.
His following season was equally disrupted, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for nearly several months.
“I had a decent run at the close of last season, which was nice to have, then I broke my jaw,” said he.
“It was yet another obstacle and the year was turning out to be a pretty bad year for the first half.”
But he was then called up by England for the Under-21 European Championships – and managed to get himself fit for the tournament.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the competition in Slovakia, developing a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who himself has excelled for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.
And he has started the current campaign just as strongly for Bournemouth, playing in all matches to guide them to fifth in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott said earlier this season.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a player, maintain my love for the game, getting better every day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and get my chance.”
