When Alex Scott made his Guernsey debut versus Phoenix Sports in front of just 55 fans in 2019, his coach back then assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this boy.”
That prediction proved to be something of an understatement.
Now 22 years old and an established top-flight player with the Cherries, the playmaker has earned his first call-up to the senior England squad.
His rise from non-league prodigy to potential international star is a proper throwback, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.
Next stop? The World Cup?
“Back then, there was zero possibility of making it as a pro footballer, never mind featuring in the top division and playing for the national team too,” the player said previously.
“It’s been a crazy five or six years of my life, and things have changed completely for myself and my family.”
But in what way did Scott, referred to fondly as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, end up here?
Developing in non-league
His football journey has been far from a conventional 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 home on the Channel Island to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.
Prior to he turned 13, however, they released him. Bournemouth gave him an opportunity and he remained with them for a while, but, by the player’s own admission, his mind was not in it.
Instead, he chose to remain on the island and play for his hometown club.
“I wasn’t playing very well and flying over weekly was becoming overwhelming,” he recalled.
“All I desired to chill at home with my mates at weekends because I had missed almost four and a half years of that experience. To have that little bit of childhood back was something I really required.
“To gain some confidence by coming back and playing local football was huge for me. That proved to be perhaps one of the most important things that got me where I am today.”
When he was just 16, the teenager became the youngest player in the club’s records when he was introduced as a 57th-minute replacement in their league fixture at the opposition.
“I’ve been having trouble sleeping because I was trying to work out how I could get him in the side because his talent is obvious,” manager Tony Vance stated at the time.
“People have witnessed that – his retention of the ball is outstanding, the way he runs with the ball, he’s pure quality.”
Returning to the pro ranks
Championship side the Robins – chaired by islander their owner – had been monitoring Scott’s development after an impressive beginning in men’s football and arranged a try-out in December 2019.
“It was hectic,” said Scott. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the next day I was with the first team, which was a complete shock.
“On the Wednesday I played for his local side in the capital, returned home and on the Friday, I played for Bristol City Under-18s and netted a three goals. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a contract.”
Within 18 months, still some way short of his 18th birthday, he was making his senior debut against Luton.
He went on to make 83 league appearances for the club while still a teenager, often being deployed as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – such was his versatility and versatility. Even at that young age and not in his natural role he was the standout performer.
With his ability to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign he won the second tier’s young player of the season honour, was chosen in the division’s team of the year and was named Bristol City’s player and young player of the Year.
“Without question, I think he’ll play for England and I’m sure he will progress to the top of the game,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at the club, stated previously.
Less than three months later, he joined Bournemouth for a understood transfer fee of £25m.
Securing his big move
Scott endured a difficult first season with the Cherries, waiting until the autumn to make his top-flight debut after a knee injury in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the starting XI.
His second campaign was just as affected, this time by a knee operation which sidelined him for almost several months.
“There was a decent run at the end of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” said Scott.
“It was almost another obstacle and it was turning out to be quite a terrible start for the first five months.”
But he was then called up by the national team for the U21 Euros – and managed to regain fitness for the tournament.
He started five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they claimed victory in the tournament in the host nation, forming a formidable partnership in the middle with Elliot Anderson, who in turn has gone on to impress for the senior side with the national coach.
And he has started this season just as strongly for his club, playing in all matches to help them to the top five in the table.
“To play for the national team would be one of the proudest moments of my career,” Scott stated recently.
“It’s down to me, I’ve got to keep progressing as a footballer, maintain my love for the game, getting better every day, and with luck I catch the eye of the England manager and get my chance.”
