🔗 Share this article

Back when the young midfielder stepped onto the pitch for his Guernsey debut against Phoenix Sports in front of a mere 55 spectators in 2019, his coach at the time assured, “we haven’t seen the best from this youngster.”

This statement turned out to be something of an understatement.

Today aged 22 and an established top-flight player with Bournemouth, the midfielder has earned his maiden summons to the full England squad.

His rise from eighth-tier talent to possible England player is a true blast from the past, a journey rarely seen in the modern game.

What’s next? The World Cup?

“Back then, there was zero possibility of becoming a professional football player, never mind playing in the Premier League and representing the national team too,” the player stated in a recent interview.

“It’s been a incredible half-dozen years of my life, and things have transformed completely for myself and my family.”

But in what way did Alex Scott, referred to affectionately as the ‘Guernsey Grealish’, find himself here?

Developing in non-league

Scott’s football journey has been far from a typical one.

He was part of over four years in Southampton’s academy setup from the age of eight, skipping school every Friday to fly from his home on Guernsey to the south coast so he could attend training and play for the Saints’ youth teams.

Prior to his 13th birthday, however, they decided to let him go. Bournemouth were willing to offer him an option and he remained with them for a while, but, as he later admitted, his heart wasn’t fully committed.

Rather, he chose to stay on the island and turn out for his hometown club.

“My form had dipped and traveling every week was becoming a bit too much,” he recalled.

“I just wanted to chill at my home with my friends at weekends because I had missed nearly four and a half years of doing that. Getting that little bit of youth back was something I really needed.

“To gain some self-belief by returning and playing island football was huge for me. It was probably the most crucial things that got me where I am today.”

At the age of 16, the teenager made history as the youngest player in Guernsey’s history when he came on as a second-half replacement in their league match at the opposition.

“I had 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.

“People have witnessed that – his possession of the ball is outstanding, the manner he runs with the ball, he’s a class act.”

Returning to the pro ranks

Championship side Bristol City – owned by islander Steve Lansdown – had been monitoring his development after an promising beginning in adult football and arranged a trial in December 2019.

“It was hectic,” recalled the player. “The first day I trained with the under-18s, the next day I trained with the senior squad, which was a complete shock.

“On the Wednesday I featured for his local side in London, travelled back and on the Friday, I played for the youth team and scored a hat-trick. It was almost a done deal for me to sign a deal.”

In just a year and a half, even well before his 18th birthday, he was earning his first-team debut against Luton.

He made 83 league outings for the club while in his teens, frequently being used as a wide defender – and occasionally further forward as a number 10 – such was his adaptability and versatility. Despite his youth and playing out of position he was their best player.

Thanks to his skill to carry the ball up the pitch, and with his socks rolled down to his ankles, he earned the moniker ‘the Guernsey Grealish’, a nod to Manchester City and national team attacking midfielder Jack Grealish.

At the end of the 2022-23 season he won 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 top player and top youngster.

“Without question, I think he’ll play for his country and I’m sure he will progress to the pinnacle of the sport,” his former manager, Scott’s boss at Ashton Gate, remarked previously.

Within three months later, he signed for the Cherries for a reported fee of £25m.

Securing his major transfer

Scott experienced a difficult first season with the club, waiting until the autumn to make his Premier League debut after a knee problem in pre-season, and then finding himself inconsistent of the team.

His second campaign was equally disrupted, this time by a surgery which sidelined him for almost several months.

“There was quite a good run at the close of last season, which was good to have, then I broke my jaw,” explained he.

“That felt like yet another obstacle and the year was turning out to be a pretty bad start for the first five months.”

But he was then called up by the national team for the Under-21 European Championships – and succeeded in get himself fit in time.

He went on to start five of the Young Lions’ six matches as they went on to win the tournament in Slovakia, forming a strong understanding in the middle with his teammate, who himself has gone on to impress for the senior side with Thomas Tuchel.

And he has begun the current campaign just as strongly for his club, playing in all matches to guide them to the top five in the standings.

“To play for the national team would be among the most special occasions of my career,” Scott stated earlier this season.

“It’s down to me, I must keep progressing as a player, keep enjoying the game, getting better day on day, and with luck I impress the national coach and earn an opportunity.”