Back when Alex Scott stepped onto the pitch for his local team debut versus Phoenix Sports before a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his manager at the time predicted, “there’s more to come from this boy.”
This prediction turned out to be something of an understatement.
Today 22 years old and a Premier League regular with Bournemouth, the playmaker has earned his maiden call-up to the full Three Lions squad.
His ascent from non-league prodigy to possible international star is a true throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.
What’s next? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was no chance of making it as a professional football player, never mind playing in the top division and playing for the national team as well,” the player stated previously.
“It’s been a crazy half-dozen years of my life, and things have changed drastically for me and my loved ones.”
But in what way did Alex Scott, known affectionately as the ‘Grealish from Guernsey’, find himself at this level?
Learning in the lower tiers
Scott’s football journey has not been a typical one.
He spent over four years in the Saints’ youth system from the age of eight, skipping school each Friday to travel by air from his island home on Guernsey to the mainland so he could attend training and play for the club’s academy sides.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they decided to let him go. The Cherries gave him an opportunity and he remained with them for a time, but, as he later admitted, his mind wasn’t fully committed.
Instead, he opted to stay on the island and play for his local team.
“My form had dipped and traveling every week was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.
“I just wanted to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I missed almost four and a half years of doing that. To have that slice of childhood back was something I really needed.
“Building a bit of confidence by coming back and playing local football was huge for me. That proved to be probably one of the most important things that led me to this point.”
At the age of 16, the teenager became the most youthful appearance-maker in Guernsey’s history when he was introduced as a second-half replacement in their league fixture at the opposition.
“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was figuring out how I could get him in the team because his talent is obvious,” Guernsey boss Tony Vance commented back then.
“Everyone’s now seen that – his retention of the ball is exceptional, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – chaired by Guernsey resident Steve Lansdown – had been tracking his early progress after an impressive start in men’s football and arranged a trial in late 2019.
“The whole experience was chaos,” recalled Scott. “Day one I joined the under-18s, the next day I was with the first team, which was a total surprise.
“On the Wednesday I featured for his local side in the capital, travelled back and on the Friday, I took the field for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. It was almost a certainty for me to sign a deal.”
In just a year and a half, even well before his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against Luton.
Scott went on to make 83 league outings for the Robins while still a teenager, often being used as a wide defender – and occasionally in attack as a attacking midfielder – demonstrating his versatility and versatility. Despite his youth and not in his natural role he was their best player.
Thanks to his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘Guernsey’s Grealish’, a reference to Manchester City and England attacking midfielder Grealish.
By the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign he claimed the EFL Championship’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the league’s team of the year and was voted Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I think he’ll go on to the top of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, remarked last year.
Within three months later, he joined the Cherries for a reported transfer fee of 25 million pounds.
Getting his big move
Scott experienced a difficult first season with the club, having to wait until the autumn to earn his top-flight debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then being in and out of the team.
His second campaign was equally affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost four months.
“There was a decent run at the end of last season, which was nice to have, then I fractured my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was yet another setback and it was turning out to be a pretty bad year for the first half.”
But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness in time.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, developing a strong understanding in midfield with his teammate, who in turn has excelled for the senior side with the national coach.
And he has begun the current campaign just as impressively for Bournemouth, playing in every game to guide them to the top five in the standings.
“To play for the England senior team would be among the most special moments of my career,” Scott stated earlier this season.
“The responsibility is mine, I must continue developing as a footballer, maintain my love for football, improving every day, and hopefully I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”
